Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, “O wise one! O scion of Bharat! You have declared that annadāna is the ultimate. Pitāmaha! Now, I beg you to please tell me the fruit that is received from jaladāna. I wish to hear this from you in detail.”
Bheeshma replied, “I will tell you everything clearly. Listen carefully from me the fruit that man obtains from annadāna and jaladāna.
My belief is that there is no dāna greater than annadāna and jaladāna in this universe as all beings are created from anna and it is jala that sustains them. Hence, in this world and among men, anna is deemed to be the most excellent.
It is through anna that tej and bala of all beings is built up. Therefore, Prajāpati has also said that annadāna is the best. O son of Kuntī! You have heard the golden words of Sāvitrī.
The words uttered by Sāvitrī at the yagna of the Devathas are, “It can be understood that a man who has given annadāna here has given his prāna and there is no greater dāna than prānadāna in this universe.” The manner and purpose behind these words are to be understood and contemplated upon.
You have heard what even Lomasha Maharshi has said in this matter. In the olden days, Rāja Shibi gave up his life for a pigeon and attained an exalted state. A man who gives annadāna to a Brahman attains that state.
Therefore, I have heard that a man who gives prānadāna attains an excellent state. But anna also manifests from jala. Nothing is possible without the grains that have been born from jala.
Hey king! The Lord of the plants, Bhagavān Soma has manifested from jala. Amrut, sudhā, svāhā, svadhā, anna, aushadhi, grass and creepers have also been born from jala. It is through them that the prāna of all the beings has been created and is sustained.
For Devathas, their anna is amrut, for nāgas, their anna is sudhā, for the ancestors, their anna is svadhā and for cattle, their anna is grass and creepers. Realized persons have said that anna is the prāna for man.
All types of anna manifests from jala and so, there is no dāna greater than jaladāna. A man who wishes to be fortunate should give jaladāna everyday.
Jaladāna is said to advance one’s wealth, fame and lifespan in this universe. A man who gives jaladāna everyday will always rise above his enemies.
He will attain every desire in this universe and infinite glory and will be rid of all his sins. He will enjoy eternal happiness upon shedding his mortal coil. A man who gives jaladāna will go to the heavenly world and claim control of the imperishable worlds as said by Manu.”
[Excerpt: Anushāsanaparvani, Dānadharmaparva, Mahābhārat]
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