Shloka 38
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
कुबेरमिव रक्षांसि शतक्रतुमिवामरा: । ज्ञातयस्त्वानुजीवन्तु सुहृदश्च परंतप
kubheram iva rakṣāṃsi śatakratum ivāmarāḥ | jñātayas tvānujīvantu suhṛdaś ca paraṃtapa ||
قال بهيشما: «لتخدمْك الرَّاكشاس كما يخدمون كُبِيرا، ولتخدمْك الآلهة الخالدون كما يخدمون شتاكرتو (إندرا). وليعشْ أقرباؤك معتمدين عليك، وليقفْ إلى جانبك أيضًا محبّوك وأهل الودّ لك، يا محرِقَ الأعداء.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal sovereignty and moral authority as naturally attracting loyal support: just as cosmic rulers have their retinues, a righteous and powerful leader becomes a refuge for relatives and friends, sustaining them through protection and patronage.
Bhīṣma is offering a formal blessing and auspicious wish to the addressed hero, invoking well-known divine models (Kubera and Indra) to express the hope that various groups—powerful allies, kinsmen, and friends—will gather around and thrive under his leadership.