Shloka 12

Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ

Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas

Devanagari script

गूढस्वाध्यायतपसो ब्राह्म॒णान्‌ संशितव्रतान्‌ । कृतैरावसशथैह्द्यै: सप्रेष्यै: सपरिच्छदै:

Transliteration

gūḍhasvādhyāyatapaso brāhmaṇān saṃśitavratān | kṛtair āvasathaiḥ hṛdyaiḥ sapreṣyaiḥ saparicchadaiḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “(One should honor) Brāhmaṇas who are devoted to secret (i.e., inwardly disciplined) study of the Veda and austerity, and who are firm in their vows—by providing them with well-made, pleasing dwellings, along with attendants and the necessary furnishings.”

Word by Word

• गूढ: hidden, secret
• गूढ: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गूढ (√गुह्/गूह् ‘to conceal’ से निष्पन्न)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• स्वाध्याय: of Vedic study/recitation
• स्वाध्याय: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाध्याय
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• तपसः: of austerity
• तपसः: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• ब्राह्मणान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• संशित: well-disciplined, strict
• संशित: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशित (√शा ‘to sharpen/discipline’ से क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• व्रतान्: vows, observances
• व्रतान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• कृतैः: with made/prepared (things)
• कृतैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (√कृ ‘to do’ से क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• आवास: with lodgings/dwellings
• आवास: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आवास
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• शय्यैः: with beds
• शय्यैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Plural

• हृद्यैः: pleasant, agreeable
• हृद्यैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• स: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (सह)

• प्रेष्यैः: with attendants/servants
• प्रेष्यैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेष्य
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• स: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (सह)

• परिच्छदैः: with furnishings/equipment
• परिच्छदैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिच्छद
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Brāhmaṇas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma includes materially supporting disciplined, vow-observant Brāhmaṇas devoted to Vedic study and austerity—by offering dignified lodging and the practical means (attendants and furnishings) that enable their religious life.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Bhīṣma’s instruction on righteous conduct and gifts, he specifies a form of meritorious giving: providing well-prepared residences and support-staff/resources to worthy Brāhmaṇas characterized by svādhyāya, tapas, and steadfast vows.