Shloka 16
Gopradāna-phalasaṃprāpti: Nāciketa’s Vision of Vaivasvata’s Realms (गोप्रदानफलसम्प्राप्तिः — नाचिकेतोपाख्यानम्)
तच्च दद्यान्नरो नित्यं यदीच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
tac ca dadyān naro nityaṁ yad icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ |
भीष्म उवाच—तच्च दद्यान्नरो नित्यं यदीच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः। जलदानं हि लोकेऽस्मिन् धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यम्॥ कौन्तेय, तोयदो नित्यं शत्रुभ्यः परमो भवेत्॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that daily charity—specifically giving water—is a simple, universally accessible dharmic act that promotes one’s welfare, increasing prosperity, reputation, and longevity, and confers moral and social superiority even over adversaries.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs a Pandava (addressed as ‘son of Kunti’) on duties and virtues. Here he recommends the regular practice of jaladāna, presenting it as a powerful, practical form of charity with tangible and spiritual benefits.