Shloka 12
Pātra-Lakṣaṇa and Niścita-Dharma
Marks of a Worthy Recipient and Stable Criteria of Dharma
भीष्म उवाच श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तस्या: स विप्र: प्राउजलि: स्थित: । अनुज्ञातस्तया चापि स्वगृहं पुनरात्रजत्
bhīṣma uvāca śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tasyāḥ sa vipraḥ prāñjaliḥ sthitaḥ | anujñātas tayā cāpi svagṛhaṃ punar ājagāma ||
Bhishma sprach: Nachdem er ihre Worte vernommen hatte, stand der Brahmane vor ihr, die Hände ehrfürchtig gefaltet. Dann kehrte er, nachdem er ihre Erlaubnis empfangen hatte, abermals in sein eigenes Haus zurück—und zeigte so die ethische Zucht von Demut, Selbstbeherrschung und Achtung vor rechtmäßiger Autorität.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct expressed through humility (prāñjali), attentive listening, and acting only after receiving proper permission (anujñā). Respectful behavior toward a rightful speaker/authority is presented as an ethical norm.
After hearing the woman’s statement, the brahmin stands respectfully with folded hands before her. Once she grants him leave, he departs and returns to his own home.