Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
गोप्रदानीति वक्तव्यमर्घ्यवस्त्रवसुप्रद: । ऊर्ध्वास्या भवितव्या च वैष्णवीति च चोदयेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | gopradānīti vaktavyam arghyavastravasupradaḥ | ūrdhvāsyā bhavitavyā ca vaiṣṇavīti ca codayet ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Dapat siyang ipahayag nang pormal bilang ‘nagkakaloob ng mga baka,’ at bilang taong nagkakaloob ng mga handog na karapat-dapat parangalan, ng mga kasuotan, at ng yaman. Dapat din siyang hikayating panatilihing nakataas ang mukha (sa mapalad na pagtitiwala), at tawagin at palakasin ang loob bilang ‘Vaiṣṇavī’—isang deboto ni Viṣṇu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes the dharmic value of dāna (charitable giving): donors of cows and other respectful gifts (honor-offerings, clothing, wealth) should be publicly acknowledged and encouraged, linking generosity with auspicious conduct and Vaiṣṇava devotion.
In Bhishma’s instruction section of the Anuśāsana Parva, he lays down prescriptive guidance on how a giver should be addressed and encouraged—praising the act of cow-gift and other donations, and urging an auspicious, uplifted demeanor along with identification as devoted to Viṣṇu.