Shloka 12
उपदेशदोषप्रसङ्गः (Upadeśa-doṣa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Risk of Misapplied Counsel
तांस्तु दृष्टया मुनिगणान् देवकल्पान् महौजस: । विविधां वहतो दीक्षां सम्प्राहृष्पत भारत,भरतनन्दन! उस आश्रमके महातेजस्वी देवोपम मुनियोंको नाना प्रकारकी दीक्षा धारण किये देख उस शूद्रको बड़ा हर्ष हुआ
tāṁstu dṛṣṭvā munigaṇān devakalpān mahaujasāḥ | vividhāṁ vahato dīkṣāṁ samprāhṛṣyata bhārata bharatanandana ||
Bhishma said: Seeing those companies of sages—radiant and godlike—bearing various forms of consecrated observances, that Śūdra was filled with great joy, O Bharata, O delight of the Bharatas. The sight of disciplined, luminous ascetics stirred in him reverence and gladness.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uplifting force of visible dharmic discipline: the sages’ radiance and vowed conduct (dīkṣā) naturally inspire joy and reverence, suggesting that ethical-spiritual practice can awaken aspiration across social boundaries.
Bhīṣma narrates that an unnamed śūdra comes to an āśrama and, upon seeing godlike, powerful sages observing diverse consecrated vows, becomes deeply delighted and encouraged by their presence.