13.066
The fruit of the gift of water.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O dear one, I have heard from you of the fruit of giving, but among them, food is especially praised here, O Bhārata (13-66-1)
O grandsire, I wish to hear in detail how the gift of water is supreme and how it yields great fruit here. (13-66-2)
Bhīṣma said.
Indeed, I shall relate everything to you as it is, O bull among the Bharatas. As I speak, listen today here to my words, O truly brave. Beginning from the giving of water, O sinless one, I shall tell you everything. (13-66-3)
In my opinion, there is no gift greater than giving food and water to one who partakes of it. (13-66-4)
Dear one, all living beings indeed arise from food in every way; therefore, food is considered the highest among all gifts in the world. (13-66-5)
Prajapati has said that giving food is the best, for from food, strength and energy always increase among living beings. (13-66-6)
O son of Kunti, you have also heard the auspicious words spoken by Sāvitrī; for this reason and in this manner, O greatly wise one, this took place in the sacrifice to the gods. (13-66-7)
When a man gives food here, it is truly as if he gives life itself. Indeed, no gift here surpasses the gift of life. (13-66-8)
O mighty-armed, you have indeed heard that account of Lomaśa also—how King Śibi, in ancient times, attained (renown) by giving his own life to the pigeon. (13-66-9)
Having given food to a twice-born, O lord of men, one attains that state. The givers of life attain a special state—so we have heard. (13-66-10)
O best of the Kurus, food also arises from water. Indeed, without that which is produced from water, nothing proceeds at all. (13-66-11)
Soma, the venerable one born from water, lord of the group of planets, is both nectar and ambrosia, as well as the exclamations 'Svāhā' and 'Vaṣaṭ'. (13-66-12)
O great king, food, medicinal plants, herbs, and water-born plants are those from which the lives of living beings arise, O lord of the people. (13-66-13)
For the gods, ambrosia and food; for the nāgas, elixir as well; for the ancestors, oblation is declared; for animals, also herbs. (13-66-14)
The wise say that food alone is the life of men. And, O tiger among men, all that (food) arises from water. (13-66-15)
Therefore, of all offerings, none is greater anywhere than the gift of water. So a man should always give it, if he desires his own prosperity. (13-66-16)
O son of Kunti, the cloud, which is fortunate, glorious, life-giving, the giver of water, always stands above even enemies, O lord of people. (13-66-17)
He attains all desires and gains indeed everlasting fame here; after death, he attains the eternal and is released from sins. (13-66-18)
O tiger among men, the giver of water, having gone to heaven, attains imperishable worlds, O greatly radiant one—thus said Manu. (13-66-19)
