Shloka 54
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
पानीयदा हाूतृषिता: प्रह्ृष्टमनसो नरा: । पन्थानं द्योतयन्तश्न यान्ति दीपप्रदा: सुखम्,जिन्होंने जल-दान किया है, उन्हें प्यासका कष्ट नहीं भोगना पड़ता, वे लोग प्रसन्नचित्त होकर वहाँ जाते हैं। दीपदान करनेवाले मनुष्य उस मार्गको प्रकाशित करते हुए सुखसे यात्रा करते हैं
pānīyadā hātṛṣitāḥ prahṛṣṭamanaso narāḥ | panthānaṃ dyotayantaś ca yānti dīpapradāḥ sukham ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Những người đã bố thí nước uống không phải chịu nỗi khổ của cơn khát; lòng hoan hỷ, họ tiến về cõi ấy. Còn những ai bố thí đèn thì đi đường trong an vui, vừa đi vừa soi sáng lối, khiến con đường rực rỡ ánh quang.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic principle that practical, compassionate gifts—especially water for the thirsty and lamps for those in darkness—return as corresponding relief and guidance to the giver, symbolizing merit that eases one’s journey and state in the hereafter.
Vaiśampāyana describes the fruits of specific acts of charity: water-donors are freed from the suffering of thirst and proceed joyfully, while lamp-donors travel happily by illuminating the path—an image of the post-mortem journey made easier through one’s meritorious deeds.