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 ||
毗湿摩说：“应当正式宣告其为‘施牛者’，亦为能施与应受尊敬之供品、衣服与财物之人。又当劝其面容上扬（以吉祥之自信），并以‘毗湿奴之奉行者’（Vaiṣṇavī）之名称呼、勉励之。”
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.