Shloka 3

Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ

Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas

Devanagari script

क्षत्रियो रक्षणधृति््राह्मणो<नर्थना धृति: । ब्राह्मणो धृतिमान्‌ विद्वान्‌ देवान्‌ प्रीणाति तुष्टिमान्‌

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | kṣatriyo rakṣaṇa-dhṛtir brāhmaṇo 'narthanā-dhṛtiḥ | brāhmaṇo dhṛtimān vidvān devān prīṇāti tuṣṭimān ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “A Kshatriya is exemplary when he steadfastly upholds courage and endurance in the duty of protection; a Brahmin is exemplary when he remains firm in not begging. A Brahmin who is patient, learned, and contented pleases the gods through his conduct and keeps them satisfied.”

Word by Word

• {'kṣatriyaḥ': 'a member of the warrior-ruler class

• one whose duty is protection and governance', 'rakṣaṇa': 'protection

• safeguarding others', 'dhṛtiḥ / dhṛtimān': 'steadfastness, fortitude, self-control

• one endowed with firmness', 'brāhmaṇaḥ': 'a member of the priestly/learned class

• one devoted to study, teaching, and ritual-ethical discipline', 'anarthanā': 'non-asking

• not soliciting or begging', 'vidvān': 'learned, wise

• possessing knowledge of śāstra', 'tuṣṭimān': 'contented, satisfied

• endowed with contentment', 'devān': 'the gods

• divine powers sustaining cosmic order', 'prīṇāti': 'pleases, gratifies

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Kshatriya
• Brahmin
• Devas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Each social duty is upheld by a specific inner discipline: the Kshatriya’s excellence lies in steadfast courage for protection, while the Brahmin’s excellence lies in firm restraint from solicitation; learning joined with patience and contentment becomes a form of worship that pleases the gods.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he contrasts the defining virtues of Kshatriyas and Brahmins, emphasizing that right conduct (especially fortitude, learning, and contentment) sustains both social order and divine harmony.