Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 37
Adhyāya 60: Dāna vs. Yajña—Royal Giving, Protection, and Karmic Share
भक्ष्यानज्नपानीयरसप्रदाता सर्वान् समाप्रोति रसान् प्रकामम् । प्रतिश्रयाच्छादनसम्प्रदाता प्राप्नोति तान्येव न संशयो5त्र
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
bhakṣyānna-pānīya-rasa-pradātā sarvān samāpnoti rasān prakāmam |
pratiśrayācchādana-sampradātā prāpnoti tāny eva na saṁśayo ’tra ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：凡施与人食物以充饥、清水以解渴、甘美饮品以悦心者，便能随其所愿，得诸般享乐之味。又如供人居所为栖身、衣服为蔽体者，亦必得回报，复获其物——此无疑也。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Giving essential supports—food, water, pleasant refreshments, shelter, and clothing—creates corresponding fruits for the giver: enjoyment, comfort, and provision. The verse presents dāna as a concrete dharma whose results mirror what is offered.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Vaiśampāyana continues a didactic sequence on the merits of gifts. This verse specifically enumerates basic donations and states their assured karmic/ethical return.