Shloka 3
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
नित्याभिवाद्या विप्रेन्द्रा भुक्त्वा पादौ तथात्मन: । तेषां तुष्यामि मर्त्यानां यश्षक्रे च बलिं हरेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | nityābhivādyā viprendrā bhuktvā pādau tathātmanaḥ | teṣāṃ tuṣyāmi martyānāṃ yaḥ śakre ca baliṃ haret |
Bhīṣma sprach: „Die vornehmsten Brāhmaṇas soll man täglich mit ehrerbietigen Grüßen begrüßen. Nach dem Mahl soll man auch für die eigenen Füße sorgen—sie gründlich waschen. Ich bin zufrieden mit jenen Sterblichen, die in diesem Geist disziplinierter Verehrung auch Śakra (Indra) das gebührende bali (Opfergabe) darbringen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes daily reverence toward learned Brahmins, personal cleanliness after eating (washing the feet), and the proper giving of ritual offerings (bali). These acts of respect, purity, and dutiful giving are presented as conduct that wins divine approval.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma continues advising on daily disciplines and ritual propriety. He states that he is pleased with mortals who regularly honor Brahmins, maintain cleanliness after meals, and make the appropriate offering to Śakra (Indra).