Shloka 38
Pānīya-dāna and Anna-dāna: The Primacy of Life-Sustaining Gifts (पानीयदान-प्रशंसा / अन्नदान-प्रशंसा)
तद् यदा मेघतो वारि पतितं भवति क्षितौ | तदा वसुमती देवी स्निग्धा भवति भारत,भरतनन्दन! इस प्रकार जब मेघसे पृथ्वीपर जल गिरता है, तब पृथ्वीदेवी स्निग्ध (गीली) होती है
tad yadā meghato vāri patitaṃ bhavati kṣitau | tadā vasumatī devī snigdhā bhavati bhārata ||
तद्यदा मेघतो वारि पतितं भवति क्षितौ । तदा वसुमती देवी स्निग्धा भवति भारत ॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches through analogy: beneficial, timely causes (like rain) make the recipient receptive and fruitful (like earth becoming moist). In ethical terms, right guidance, virtuous conduct, and proper conditions soften the heart and prepare one for dharma.
Nārada is speaking and illustrates a point with a natural observation: when rainwater falls from clouds onto the ground, the Earth-goddess becomes moist. The image supports a broader instruction being conveyed in the chapter.