Shloka 96
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
प्रतीच्छेत निराहारस्तस्य धर्मफलं शृणु । सबेरे उठकर कुश और जल हाथमें ले गौओंके बीचमें जाय। वहाँ गौओंके सींगपर जल छिड़के और सींगसे गिरे हुए जलको अपने मस्तकपर धारण करे। साथ ही उस दिन निराहार रहे। ऐसे पुरुषको जो धर्मका फल मिलता है
pratīcchet nirāhāras tasya dharmaphalaṁ śṛṇu | sabere uṭhakar kuśa aura jala hātha meṁ le gāvoṁ ke bīca meṁ jāya | vahāṁ gāvoṁ ke śṛṅga para jala chiṛake aura śṛṅga se gire hue jala ko apane mastaka para dhāraṇa kare | sātha hī usa dina nirāhāra rahe | aise puruṣa ko jo dharma kā phala milatā hai, use śṛṇu ||
Sabi ni Bhishma: “Pakinggan ninyo ang kabanalan at gantimpalang dulot ng pagtalimang ito. Bumangon nang maaga sa umaga, humawak ng damong kuśa at tubig, at pumasok sa gitna ng mga baka. Doon, wisikan ng tubig ang kanilang mga sungay, at ang tubig na tumulo mula sa sungay ay ipatong sa sariling ulo. Sa araw ding iyon, manatiling nag-aayuno. Dinggin ninyo kung anong bunga ng dharma ang nakakamit ng lalaking gumagawa nito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma can be cultivated through disciplined, non-violent observances that combine reverence (toward cows), ritual purity (water and kuśa), and self-restraint (fasting), with the promise of spiritual merit.
Bhishma instructs a specific vow: rise early, take kuśa and water, go among cows, sprinkle water on their horns, touch/hold the water that falls from the horns to one’s head, and fast for the day—then he prepares to state the resulting dharmic reward.