Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
देवता भी दीपदान करनेवालेका आदर करते हैं। उसके लिये सम्पूर्ण दिशाएँ निर्मल होती हैं तथा प्रेतलोकमें जानेपर वह मनुष्य सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होता है ।।
tasmād dīpaḥ pradātavyaḥ pānīyaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | kapilāṃ ye prayacchanti brāhmaṇe vedapārage ||
阎摩王说道:因此,人应当必定施灯,尤其要施与饮水。凡将一头黄褐色的牝牛(kapilā)供施给精通吠陀的婆罗门者,所成之功德极大——以慈悲而行的布施,带来清净、在诸天中受敬重,并在死后如日光般光明灿然。
यम उवाच
The verse commends dāna as dharma: give light (a lamp) and, even more urgently, drinking water; and honor Veda-knowing Brāhmaṇas with worthy gifts such as a kapilā cow. Such giving is portrayed as purifying, honored by the gods, and beneficial for one’s post-mortem state.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and gifts, Yama speaks about the fruits of charitable acts. He urges specific forms of giving—lamp and water—and praises the merit of gifting a kapilā cow to a Veda-master Brāhmaṇa, linking these acts to purity, divine approval, and radiance in the afterlife.