The Greatness of the Gift of Food

Verse 1 (shiva.uma.11.1)

व्यास उवाच । कृतपापा नरा यान्ति दुःखेन महतान्विताः । यममार्गे सुखं यैश्च तान्धर्मान्वद मे प्रभो

vyāsa uvāca kṛtapāpā narā yānti duḥkhena mahatānvitāḥ yamamārge sukhaṁ yaiśca tāndharmānvada me prabho

Vyasa said: Men who have committed sin travel [Yama's path] accompanied by great suffering. Tell me, O lord, of those righteous acts by which one travels Yama's path in happiness.

Verse 2 (shiva.uma.11.2)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । अवश्यं हि कृतं कर्म भोक्तव्यमविचारतः । शुभाशुभमथो वक्ष्ये तान्धर्मान् सुखदायकान्

sanatkumāra uvāca avaśyaṁ hi kṛtaṁ karma bhoktavyamavicārataḥ śubhāśubhamatho vakṣye tāndharmān sukhadāyakān

Sanatkumara said: Deeds once done, whether good or bad, must inevitably be experienced without question. Now I shall tell you of those righteous acts that bestow happiness.

Verse 3 (shiva.uma.11.3)

अत्र ये शुभकर्माणः सौम्यचित्ता दयान्विताः । सुखेन ते नरा यान्ति यममार्गं भयावहम्

atra ye śubhakarmāṇaḥ saumyacittā dayānvitāḥ sukhena te narā yānti yamamārgaṁ bhayāvaham

Those men who are of good deeds, gentle mind, and endowed with compassion travel in happiness along Yama's path, otherwise so terrifying.

Verse 4 (shiva.uma.11.4)

यः प्रदद्याद् द्विजेन्द्राणामुपानत्काष्ठपादुके । स नरोऽश्वेन महता सुखं याति यमालयम्

yaḥ pradadyād dvijendrāṇāmupānatkāṣṭhapāduke sa naro'śvena mahatā sukhaṁ yāti yamālayam

Whoever gives shoes or wooden sandals to eminent brahmins travels happily to Yama's abode upon a great horse.

Verse 5 (shiva.uma.11.5)

छत्रदानेन गच्छन्ति यथा छत्रेण देहिनः । शिबिकायाः प्रदानेन तद्रथेन सुखं व्रजेत्

chatradānena gacchanti yathā chatreṇa dehinaḥ śibikāyāḥ pradānena tadrathena sukhaṁ vrajet

By the gift of an umbrella, beings travel there shaded as if with an umbrella of their own; by the gift of a palanquin, one travels happily by that very kind of chariot.

Verse 6 (shiva.uma.11.6)

शय्यासनप्रदानेन सुखं याति सुविश्रमम् । आरामच्छायाकर्तारो मार्गे वा वृक्षरोपकाः । व्रजन्ति यमलोकं च आतपेऽति गतक्लमाः

śayyāsanapradānena sukhaṁ yāti suviśramam ārāmacchāyākartāro mārge vā vṛkṣaropakāḥ vrajanti yamalokaṁ ca ātape'ti gataklamāḥ

By the gift of a bed or a seat, one travels happily with good rest; those who create shaded groves or plant trees along the road travel to Yama's world free from weariness, untouched even by the sun's heat.

Verse 7 (shiva.uma.11.7)

यान्ति पुष्पकयानेन पुष्पारामकरा नराः । देवायतनकर्तारः क्रीडन्ति च गृहोदरे

yānti puṣpakayānena puṣpārāmakarā narāḥ devāyatanakartāraḥ krīḍanti ca gṛhodare

Men who cultivate flower-gardens travel by the Pushpaka chariot; those who build temples for the gods sport within heavenly mansions.

Verse 8 (shiva.uma.11.8)

कर्तारश्च तथा ये च यतीनामाश्रमस्य च । अनाथमण्डपानां तु क्रीडन्ति च गृहोदरे

kartāraśca tathā ye ca yatīnāmāśramasya ca anāthamaṇḍapānāṁ tu krīḍanti ca gṛhodare

And likewise those who build hermitages for ascetics and shelters for the destitute also sport within heavenly mansions.

Verse 9 (shiva.uma.11.9)

देवाग्निगुरुविप्राणां मातापित्रोश्च पूजकाः । पूज्यमाना नरा यान्ति कामुकेन यथासुखम्

devāgniguruviprāṇāṁ mātāpitrośca pūjakāḥ pūjyamānā narā yānti kāmukena yathāsukham

Worshippers of gods, of fire, of the guru, of brahmins, and of mother and father — being themselves honored, such men travel joyfully, exactly as they desire.

Verse 10 (shiva.uma.11.10)

द्योतयन्तो दिशः सर्वा यान्ति दीपप्रदायिनः । प्रतिश्रयप्रदानेन सुखं यान्ति निरामयाः

dyotayanto diśaḥ sarvā yānti dīpapradāyinaḥ pratiśrayapradānena sukhaṁ yānti nirāmayāḥ

Givers of lamps travel illuminating all directions; by the gift of shelter, they travel happily, free from affliction.

Verse 11 (shiva.uma.11.11)

विश्राम्यमाणा गच्छन्ति गुरुशुश्रूषका नराः । आतोद्यविप्रदातारः सुखं यान्ति स्वके गृहे

viśrāmyamāṇā gacchanti guruśuśrūṣakā narāḥ ātodyavipradātāraḥ sukhaṁ yānti svake gṛhe

Men who serve their guru travel taking full rest; those who give musical instruments travel happily as though in their own home.

Verse 12 (shiva.uma.11.12)

सर्वकामसमृद्धेन यथा गच्छन्ति गोप्रदाः । अत्र दत्तान्नपानानि तान्याप्नोति नरः पथि

sarvakāmasamṛddhena yathā gacchanti gopradāḥ atra dattānnapānāni tānyāpnoti naraḥ pathi

Givers of cows travel as though prospering with every desire fulfilled; on that path a man again obtains the very food and drink that he gave here.

Verse 13 (shiva.uma.11.13)

पादशौचप्रदानेन सजलेन पथा व्रजेत् । पादाभ्यङ्गं च यः कुर्यादश्वपृष्ठेन गच्छति

pādaśaucapradānena sajalena pathā vrajet pādābhyaṅgaṁ ca yaḥ kuryādaśvapṛṣṭhena gacchati

By providing water for washing feet, one travels the path accompanied by water; and whoever anoints feet travels upon horseback.

Verse 14 (shiva.uma.11.14)

पादशौचं तथाभ्यङ्गं दीपमन्नं प्रतिश्रयम् । यो ददाति सदा व्यास नोपसर्पति तं यमः

pādaśaucaṁ tathābhyaṅgaṁ dīpamannaṁ pratiśrayam yo dadāti sadā vyāsa nopasarpati taṁ yamaḥ

O Vyasa, whoever always gives water for washing feet, foot-anointing oil, a lamp, food, and shelter — Yama does not even approach him.

Verse 15 (shiva.uma.11.15)

हेमरत्नप्रदानेन याति दुर्गाणि निस्तरन् । रौप्यानडुत्प्रदानेन यमलोकं सुखेन सः

hemaratnapradānena yāti durgāṇi nistaran raupyānaḍutpradānena yamalokaṁ sukhena saḥ

By the gift of gold and jewels, one crosses over difficult passes as he travels; by the gift of silver or of a bullock, he travels to Yama's world in happiness.

Verse 16 (shiva.uma.11.16)

इत्येवमादिभिर्दानैः सुखं यान्ति यमालयम् । स्वर्गे तु विविधान्भोगान् प्राप्नुवन्ति सदा नराः

ityevamādibhirdānaiḥ sukhaṁ yānti yamālayam svarge tu vividhānbhogān prāpnuvanti sadā narāḥ

By such gifts and others like them, men travel happily to Yama's abode, and in heaven they ever obtain manifold enjoyments.

Verse 17 (shiva.uma.11.17)

सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं परं स्मृतम् । सद्यः प्रीतिकरं हृद्यं बलबुद्धिविवर्धनम्

sarveṣāmeva dānānāmannadānaṁ paraṁ smṛtam sadyaḥ prītikaraṁ hṛdyaṁ balabuddhivivardhanam

Of all gifts whatsoever, the gift of food is remembered as supreme — it brings immediate delight, is pleasing to the heart, and increases strength and intellect.

Verse 18 (shiva.uma.11.18)

नान्नदानसमं दानं विद्यते मुनिसत्तम । अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि तदभावे म्रियन्ति च

nānnadānasamaṁ dānaṁ vidyate munisattama annādbhavanti bhūtāni tadabhāve mriyanti ca

O best of sages, there exists no gift equal to the gift of food; from food beings come into existence, and in its absence they die.

Verse 19 (shiva.uma.11.19)

रक्तं मांसं वसा शुक्रं क्रमादन्नात्प्रवर्धते । शुक्राद्भवन्ति भूतानि तस्मादन्नमयं जगत्

raktaṁ māṁsaṁ vasā śukraṁ kramādannātpravardhate śukrādbhavanti bhūtāni tasmādannamayaṁ jagat

Blood, flesh, fat, and semen develop, in due order, from food; and from semen beings come into existence — therefore the world consists of food.

Verse 20 (shiva.uma.11.20)

हेमरत्नाश्वनागेन्द्रैर्नारीस्रक्चन्दनादिभिः । समस्तैरपि सम्प्राप्तैर्न रमन्ति बुभुक्षिताः

hemaratnāśvanāgendrairnārīsrakcandanādibhiḥ samastairapi samprāptairna ramanti bubhukṣitāḥ

Even with all of gold, jewels, horses, mighty elephants, women, garlands, sandalwood, and the like obtained together, the hungry find no delight in them.

Verse 21 (shiva.uma.11.21)

गर्भस्था जायमानाश्च बालवृद्धाश्च मध्यमाः । आहारमभिकाङ्क्षन्ति देवदानवराक्षसाः

garbhasthā jāyamānāśca bālavṛddhāśca madhyamāḥ āhāramabhikāṅkṣanti devadānavarākṣasāḥ

Those still in the womb, those being born, the young, the old, and those of middle age; gods, demons, and rakshasas — all long for food.

Verse 22 (shiva.uma.11.22)

क्षुधा निःशेषरोगाणां व्याधिः श्रेष्ठतमः स्मृतः । स चान्नौषधिलेपेन नश्यतीह न संशयः

kṣudhā niḥśeṣarogāṇāṁ vyādhiḥ śreṣṭhatamaḥ smṛtaḥ sa cānnauṣadhilepena naśyatīha na saṁśayaḥ

Hunger is remembered as the foremost of all diseases; and it, without doubt, is destroyed here by the medicinal application of food.

Verse 23 (shiva.uma.11.23)

नास्ति क्षुधासमं दुःखं नास्ति रोगः क्षुधासमः । नास्त्यरोगसमं सौख्यं नास्ति क्रोधसमो रिपुः

nāsti kṣudhāsamaṁ duḥkhaṁ nāsti rogaḥ kṣudhāsamaḥ nāstyarogasamaṁ saukhyaṁ nāsti krodhasamo ripuḥ

There is no suffering equal to hunger; there is no disease equal to hunger; there is no happiness equal to freedom from disease; there is no enemy equal to anger.

Verse 24 (shiva.uma.11.24)

अन्त एव महत्पुण्यमन्नदाने प्रकीर्तितम् । तथा क्षुधाग्निना तप्ता म्रियन्ते सर्वदेहिनः

anta eva mahatpuṇyamannadāne prakīrtitam tathā kṣudhāgninā taptā mriyante sarvadehinaḥ

Therefore, in the end, great merit is proclaimed to reside in the gift of food; for all embodied beings, tormented by the fire of hunger, do indeed perish without it.

Verse 25 (shiva.uma.11.25)

अन्नदः प्राणदः प्रोक्तः प्राणदश्चापि सर्वदः । तस्मादन्नप्रदानेन सर्वदानफलं लभेत्

annadaḥ prāṇadaḥ proktaḥ prāṇadaścāpi sarvadaḥ tasmādannapradānena sarvadānaphalaṁ labhet

The giver of food is declared to be a giver of life; and the giver of life is a giver of everything. Therefore, by the gift of food, one obtains the fruit of every gift.

Verse 26 (shiva.uma.11.26)

यस्यान्नपानपुष्टाङ्गः कुरुते पुण्यसञ्चयम् । अन्नप्रदातुस्तस्यार्धं कर्तुश्चार्धं न संशयः

yasyānnapānapuṣṭāṅgaḥ kurute puṇyasañcayam annapradātustasyārdhaṁ kartuścārdhaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Whoever, his limbs nourished by another's gift of food and drink, accumulates merit — half of that merit, without doubt, belongs to the giver of the food, and half to the doer himself.

Verse 27 (shiva.uma.11.27)

त्रैलोक्ये यानि रत्नानि भोगस्त्रीवाहनानि च । अन्नदानप्रदः सर्वमिहामुत्र च तल्लभेत्

trailokye yāni ratnāni bhogastrīvāhanāni ca annadānapradaḥ sarvamihāmutra ca tallabhet

Whatever jewels exist in the three worlds, and enjoyments, women, and vehicles — the giver of food obtains all of that, both here and in the world beyond.

Verse 28 (shiva.uma.11.28)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां देहः परमसाधनम् । तस्मादन्नेन पानेन पालयेद्देहमात्मनः

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ dehaḥ paramasādhanam tasmādannena pānena pālayeddehamātmanaḥ

The body is the supreme instrument for attaining dharma, artha, kama, and moksha; therefore one should sustain one's own body with food and drink.

Verse 29 (shiva.uma.11.29)

अन्नमेव प्रशंसन्ति सर्वमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । अन्नेन सदृशं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति

annameva praśaṁsanti sarvamanne pratiṣṭhitam annena sadṛśaṁ dānaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Food alone is praised above all; everything is established upon food. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift equal to food.

Verse 30 (shiva.uma.11.30)

अन्नेन धार्यते सर्वं विश्वं जगदिदं मुने । अन्नमूर्जस्करं लोके प्राणा ह्यन्ने प्रतिष्ठिताः

annena dhāryate sarvaṁ viśvaṁ jagadidaṁ mune annamūrjaskaraṁ loke prāṇā hyanne pratiṣṭhitāḥ

O sage, this entire world, this universe, is sustained by food; food is the source of vigor in the world, for the vital breaths are established upon food.

Verse 31 (shiva.uma.11.31)

दातव्यं भिक्षवे चान्नं ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने । कुटुम्बं पीडयित्वापि ह्यात्मनो भूतिमिच्छता

dātavyaṁ bhikṣave cānnaṁ brāhmaṇāya mahātmane kuṭumbaṁ pīḍayitvāpi hyātmano bhūtimicchatā

Food should be given to a beggar and to a great-souled brahmin — even at the cost of straining one's own family — by one who desires his own true prosperity.

Verse 32 (shiva.uma.11.32)

विददाति निधिश्रेष्ठं यो दद्यादन्नमर्थिने । ब्राह्मणायार्तरूपाय पारलौकिकमात्मनः

vidadāti nidhiśreṣṭhaṁ yo dadyādannamarthine brāhmaṇāyārtarūpāya pāralaukikamātmanaḥ

Whoever gives food to a needy person, or to a brahmin appearing distressed, bestows upon himself the finest treasure for the world beyond.

Verse 33 (shiva.uma.11.33)

अर्चयेद्भूतिमन्विच्छन्काले द्विजमुपस्थितम् । श्रान्तमध्वनि वृत्त्यर्थं गृहस्थो गृहमागतम्

arcayedbhūtimanvicchankāle dvijamupasthitam śrāntamadhvani vṛttyarthaṁ gṛhastho gṛhamāgatam

A householder, desiring true prosperity, should honor a brahmin who arrives at the proper time, weary from the road, coming to his house for the sake of sustenance.

Verse 34 (shiva.uma.11.34)

अन्नदः पूजयेद् व्यास सुशीलस्तु विमत्सरः । क्रोधमुत्पतितं हित्वा दिवि चेह महत्सुखम्

annadaḥ pūjayed vyāsa suśīlastu vimatsaraḥ krodhamutpatitaṁ hitvā divi ceha mahatsukham

O Vyasa, the giver of food should honor the guest, being of good conduct and free from envy, abandoning any anger that arises; thereby there is great happiness both in heaven and here.

Verse 35 (shiva.uma.11.35)

नाभिनिन्देदधिगतं न प्रणुद्यात्कथञ्चन । अपि श्वपाके शुनि वा नान्नदानं प्रणश्यति

nābhinindedadhigataṁ na praṇudyātkathañcana api śvapāke śuni vā nānnadānaṁ praṇaśyati

One should not disparage what has been obtained to give, nor should one ever drive a supplicant away; even given to an outcaste or to a dog, a gift of food is never in vain.

Verse 36 (shiva.uma.11.36)

श्रान्तायादृष्टपूर्वाय ह्यन्नमध्वनि वर्तते । यो दद्यादपरिक्लिष्टः स समृद्धिमवाप्नुयात

śrāntāyādṛṣṭapūrvāya hyannamadhvani vartate yo dadyādaparikliṣṭaḥ sa samṛddhimavāpnuyāta

Whoever, without reluctance, gives food along the road to a weary stranger never seen before attains prosperity.

Verse 37 (shiva.uma.11.37)

पितॄन् देवांस्तथा विप्रानतिथींश्च महामुने । यो नरः प्रीणयत्यन्नैः तस्य पुण्यफलं महत्

pitṝn devāṁstathā viprānatithīṁśca mahāmune yo naraḥ prīṇayatyannaiḥ tasya puṇyaphalaṁ mahat

O great sage, whatever man gratifies the ancestors, the gods, brahmins, and guests with food — the fruit of merit for him is great.

Verse 38 (shiva.uma.11.38)

अन्नं पानं च शूद्रेऽपि ब्राह्मणे च विशिष्यते । न पृच्छेद्गोत्रचरणं स्वाध्यायं देशमेव च

annaṁ pānaṁ ca śūdre'pi brāhmaṇe ca viśiṣyate na pṛcchedgotracaraṇaṁ svādhyāyaṁ deśameva ca

Food and drink given, whether to a shudra or to a brahmin, is equally meritorious; one should not inquire into a hungry person's lineage, conduct, Vedic study, or country before feeding them.

Verse 39 (shiva.uma.11.39)

भिक्षितो ब्राह्मणेनेह दद्यादन्नं च यः पुमान् । स याति परमं स्वर्गं यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्

bhikṣito brāhmaṇeneha dadyādannaṁ ca yaḥ pumān sa yāti paramaṁ svargaṁ yāvadābhūtasamplavam

Whatever man, being asked by a brahmin, gives food here — he goes to the highest heaven, remaining there until the dissolution of created beings.

Verse 40 (shiva.uma.11.40)

अन्नदस्य च वृक्षाश्च सर्वकामफलान्विताः । भवन्तीह यथा विप्रा हर्षयुक्तास्त्रिविष्टपे

annadasya ca vṛkṣāśca sarvakāmaphalānvitāḥ bhavantīha yathā viprā harṣayuktāstriviṣṭape

For the giver of food, trees bearing every desired fruit come into being there, even as brahmins, filled with joy, dwell in heaven.

Verse 41 (shiva.uma.11.41)

अन्नदानेन ये लोकाः स्वर्गे विरचिता मुने । अन्नदातुर्महादिव्यास्तान् शृणुष्व महामुने

annadānena ye lokāḥ svarge viracitā mune annadāturmahādivyāstān śṛṇuṣva mahāmune

O great sage, hear of those greatly divine worlds fashioned in heaven for the giver of food, through the gift of food.

Verse 42 (shiva.uma.11.42)

भवनानि प्रकाशन्ते दिवि तेषां महात्मनाम् । नानासंस्थानरूपाणि नानाकामान्वितानि च

bhavanāni prakāśante divi teṣāṁ mahātmanām nānāsaṁsthānarūpāṇi nānākāmānvitāni ca

In heaven, the mansions of those great souls shine forth, of many different forms and structures, and endowed with every desired object.

Verse 43 (shiva.uma.11.43)

सर्वकामफलाश्चापि वृक्षा भवनसंस्थिताः । हेमवाप्यः शुभाः कूपा दीर्घिकाश्चैव सर्वशः

sarvakāmaphalāścāpi vṛkṣā bhavanasaṁsthitāḥ hemavāpyaḥ śubhāḥ kūpā dīrghikāścaiva sarvaśaḥ

Within those mansions stand trees bearing fruits of every desire, golden step-wells, auspicious wells, and pools of every kind.

Verse 44 (shiva.uma.11.44)

घोषयन्ति च पानानि शुभान्यथ सहस्रशः । भक्ष्यभोज्यमयाः शैला वासांस्याभरणानि च

ghoṣayanti ca pānāni śubhānyatha sahasraśaḥ bhakṣyabhojyamayāḥ śailā vāsāṁsyābharaṇāni ca

There, auspicious drinks abound by the thousands; there are mountains made of food to eat and to enjoy, garments, and ornaments.

Verse 45 (shiva.uma.11.45)

क्षीरं स्रवन्त्यः सरितस्तथैवाज्यस्य पर्वताः । प्रासादाः पाण्डुराभासाः शय्याश्च कनकोज्ज्वलाः

kṣīraṁ sravantyaḥ saritastathaivājyasya parvatāḥ prāsādāḥ pāṇḍurābhāsāḥ śayyāśca kanakojjvalāḥ

There are rivers flowing with milk, and likewise mountains of ghee; palaces gleaming white, and beds radiant with gold.

Verse 46 (shiva.uma.11.46)

तानन्नदाश्च गच्छन्ति तस्मादन्नप्रदो भवेत् । यदीच्छेदात्मनो भव्यमिह लोके परत्र च

tānannadāśca gacchanti tasmādannaprado bhavet yadīcchedātmano bhavyamiha loke paratra ca

To those worlds the givers of food alone go. Therefore, one should become a giver of food, if one desires one's own well-being, both in this world and the next.

Verse 47 (shiva.uma.11.47)

एते लोकाः पुण्यकृतामन्नदानां महाप्रभाः । तस्मादन्नं विशेषेण दातव्यं मानवैर्ध्रुवम्

ete lokāḥ puṇyakṛtāmannadānāṁ mahāprabhāḥ tasmādannaṁ viśeṣeṇa dātavyaṁ mānavairdhruvam

These are the greatly radiant worlds of those meritorious ones who gave food. Therefore, food should certainly be given by men, above all else.

Verse 48 (shiva.uma.11.48)

अन्नं प्रजापतिः साक्षादन्नं विष्णुः स्वयं हरः । तस्मादन्नसमं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति

annaṁ prajāpatiḥ sākṣādannaṁ viṣṇuḥ svayaṁ haraḥ tasmādannasamaṁ dānaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Food is Prajapati himself; food is Vishnu; food is Hara himself. Therefore, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift equal to food.

Verse 49 (shiva.uma.11.49)

कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं यः पश्चादन्नदो भवेत् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यः स्वर्गलोकं स गच्छति

kṛtvāpi sumahatpāpaṁ yaḥ paścādannado bhavet vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyaḥ svargalokaṁ sa gacchati

Even one who, having committed a very great sin, afterward becomes a giver of food — released from all sins, he goes to the world of heaven.

Verse 50 (shiva.uma.11.50)

अन्नपानाश्वगोवस्त्रशय्याच्छत्रासनानि च । प्रेतलोके प्रशस्तानि दानान्यष्टौ विशेषतः

annapānāśvagovastraśayyācchatrāsanāni ca pretaloke praśastāni dānānyaṣṭau viśeṣataḥ

Food, drink, a horse, a cow, clothing, a bed, an umbrella, and a seat — these eight gifts are especially praised in the world of the departed.

Verse 51 (shiva.uma.11.51)

एवं दानविशेषेण धर्मराजपुरं नरः । यस्माद्याति विमानेन तस्माद्दानं समाचरेत्

evaṁ dānaviśeṣeṇa dharmarājapuraṁ naraḥ yasmādyāti vimānena tasmāddānaṁ samācaret

Thus, by such distinguished gifts, a man travels by celestial chariot to the city of the Lord of Dharma; therefore one should practice giving.

Verse 52 (shiva.uma.11.52)

एतदाख्यानमनघमन्नदानप्रभावतः । यः पठेत्पाठयेदन्यान्स समृद्धः प्रजायते

etadākhyānamanaghamannadānaprabhāvataḥ yaḥ paṭhetpāṭhayedanyānsa samṛddhaḥ prajāyate

Whoever reads, or causes others to read, this sinless account of the power of the gift of food, becomes prosperous.

Verse 53 (shiva.uma.11.53)

शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे ब्राह्मणान्यो महामुने । अक्षय्यमन्नदानं च पितॄणामुपतिष्ठति

śṛṇuyācchrāvayecchrāddhe brāhmaṇānyo mahāmune akṣayyamannadānaṁ ca pitṝṇāmupatiṣṭhati

O great sage, whoever hears it, or causes brahmins to hear it during a shraddha rite — for him, the gift of food to the ancestors becomes imperishable in its fruit.