Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 12
गोप्रदान-भूमिदान-विधि
Gopradāna–Bhūmidāna Guidelines and Recipient Eligibility
पिपासया न ग्रियते सोपच्छन्दश्न॒ जायते । न प्राप्तुयाच्च व्यसनं करकान् यः प्रयच्छति
pipāsayā na kṣīyate sa upacchandaś ca jāyate | na prāpnuyāc ca vyasanaṁ kamaṇḍaluṁ yaḥ prayacchati ||
毗湿摩说道：“若有人施与盛满清水的钵瓶（kamaṇḍalu，修行者水壶），便不为干渴所困而至于败亡。其人所需资生之具与诸般必需，自会应时而生，他亦不堕于困厄。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic value of dāna through the specific example of giving water: offering a water-filled kamaṇḍalu protects the giver from thirst and misfortune, symbolizing that compassionate support of basic needs returns as well-being and security.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on dharma and the fruits of various gifts. Here he highlights the merit of donating water (via a kamaṇḍalu), describing its beneficial results for the donor—freedom from deprivation and avoidance of distress.