Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
Gopradāna-phalasaṃprāpti: Nāciketa’s Vision of Vaivasvata’s Realms (गोप्रदानफलसम्प्राप्तिः — नाचिकेतोपाख्यानम्)
अन्नमेव मनुष्याणां प्राणानाहुर्मनीषिण: । तच्च सर्व नरव्यात्र पानीयात् सम्प्रवर्तते
annam eva manuṣyāṇāṃ prāṇān āhur manīṣiṇaḥ | tac ca sarvaṃ naravyātra pānīyāt sampravartate ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ipinahahayag ng marurunong na ang pagkain mismo ang hininga ng buhay ng tao. At ang lahat ng iyon—ang buong ikabubuhay ng sangkatauhan—sa huli ay nagmumula sa tubig.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Food is identified as the very basis of human life, and water is presented as the underlying source that enables food and thus sustains society; therefore, ensuring access to water and food is a central ethical duty.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma (Anuśāsana Parva), he emphasizes foundational supports of life—food and water—framing them as primary objects of care, governance, and charity.