Shloka 15
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
वर्षाहिमातपानां च परित्राणानि कुर्वते । चैलमन्नं सुखं शय्यां निवातं चोपभुञ्जते
varṣā-himātapānāṁ ca paritrāṇāni kurvate | cailam annaṁ sukhaṁ śayyāṁ nivātaṁ copabhuñjate ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Die Menschen schaffen sich Schutz vor Regen, Kälte und Sonnenhitze. Sie tragen Gewänder, nehmen ihre Speise in Behagen zu sich, schlafen auf bereiteten Lagern und genießen windgeschützte, stille Zufluchtsorte.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights that humans intentionally create safeguards and comforts—clothing, food, bedding, and shelter—to protect the body from environmental hardships. The implicit ethical point is that prudent provision for basic needs is a normal, rational aspect of life and can serve as a foundation for higher duties.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma is instructing Yudhishthira on dharma and practical life. Here he describes ordinary human behavior: arranging protection from rain, cold, and heat, and enjoying the basic supports of living such as garments, meals, beds, and sheltered places.