Shloka 8
Nakṣatra-yoga-anusāreṇa Dāna-vidhiḥ
Gifts prescribed according to lunar mansions and yogas
तपसा दीप्यमानास्ते दहेयु: पृथिवीमपि । अपूज्यमाना: कौरव्य पूजाहस्तु तथाविधा:
tapasā dīpyamānās te daheyuḥ pṛthivīm api | apūjyamānāḥ kauravya pūjyās tu tathāvidhāḥ kuru-nandana ||
Bhishma said: “Those brāhmaṇas, blazing with the power of austerity, could—if they so wished—burn even the earth itself when they are left unhonoured. Therefore, O Kauravya, O delight of the Kurus, such brāhmaṇas are indeed worthy of reverent worship.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that spiritual power gained through tapas is formidable, and therefore society must uphold dharma by showing due reverence to such brāhmaṇas; neglecting honour is ethically dangerous and socially destabilizing.
Bhīṣma, instructing a Kuru prince in the Anuśāsana Parva’s dharma-discourse, emphasizes the immense potency of ascetics and uses it as a reason to prescribe consistent honour and worship toward worthy brāhmaṇas.