Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
ऋषिधर्म: स्मृतो यत्र सरहस्यो महाफल: । महायज्ञफलं चैव सर्वदानफलं तथा
ṛṣidharmaḥ smṛto yatra sa-rahasyo mahāphalaḥ | mahāyajñaphalaṃ caiva sarvadānaphalaṃ tathā ||
قال بهيشما: «في ذلك التعليم تُذكَر دارما الحكماء—عميقة، مصونة بالمعاني الباطنة، عظيمة الثمرة؛ وهناك أيضًا تُبيَّن ثمرات القرابين الكبرى، وكذلك ثمرات كل صنف من العطاء.»
भीष्म उवाच
That the tradition of the sages (ṛṣi-dharma) is not merely external ritual: it contains inner principles (rahasya) and yields great merit, and it also authoritatively explains the ethical-spiritual fruits of sacrifice (yajña) and giving (dāna).
Bhishma, instructing on dharma in the Anushasana Parva, praises a body of teaching that comprehensively expounds hidden doctrines—especially connected with rites like śrāddha—and clarifies the rewards of major sacrifices and all forms of charity.