Shloka 7
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
उसने पूरे एक हजार वर्षोतक बड़ी कठोर तपस्या करके अन्तमें काल-धर्मके अधीन होकर प्राण त्याग दिया ।।
nimitu kṛtvā śaucāni vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā | santāpam agamat tīvraṁ putraśokaparāyaṇaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Nimi, having performed the prescribed rites of purification in accordance with the procedures laid down in the scriptures, became wholly absorbed in grief for his son and was seized by intense anguish.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes ritual correctness with emotional reality: one may duly perform śauca (purificatory duties) according to śāstric injunctions, yet still be overtaken by intense personal grief. It points to the ethical ideal of maintaining dharma while acknowledging the depth of human sorrow.
After the death of his son, Nimi completes the prescribed purification/impurity-removal rites as directed by scripture. Despite fulfilling these duties, he remains consumed by grief and experiences severe anguish.