Shloka 12
उपवासविधि-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the Discipline of Fasting
भ्रातृणामविभक्तानामुत्थानमपि चेत् सह | न पुत्रभागं विषमं पिता दद्यात् कदाचन
bhrātṝṇām avibhaktānām utthānam api cet saha | na putrabhāgaṁ viṣamaṁ pitā dadyāt kadācana ||
قال بهيشما: «إذا كان الإخوة لم يقتسموا أنصبتهم بعد، وقد نمَّوا ثروة الأسرة بجهدٍ مشترك، فحتى إن أرادوا الانفصال والأب ما يزال حيًّا، فلا ينبغي للأب أن يخصّ أبناءه بأنصبة غير متساوية قطّ. بل عليه أن يمنحهم حصصًا متكافئة».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a joint (undivided) family where brothers have jointly increased wealth, the father must not create inequality at the time of separation; he should allot equal shares to all sons, upholding fairness and preventing partiality.
Bhīṣma is instructing on dharma related to household and inheritance norms: if sons who have lived and prospered together seek partition during the father’s lifetime, the father’s duty is to distribute property without favoritism, ensuring equal portions.