Shloka 15
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
ते निश्चितास्तत्र महर्षयस्तु सम्पश्यन्तो धर्ममेतं नरेन्द्रा: । ततो5शपन्त शपथान् पर्ययेण सहैव ते पार्थिव पुत्रपौत्रै:,पृथ्वीनाथ! तदनन्तर वे महर्षि तथा नरेशगण वहाँ कुछ निश्चय करके इस धर्मपर दृष्टि रखते हुए पुत्रों और पौत्रोंसहित बारी-बारीसे शपथ खाने लगे
te niścitās tatra maharṣayas tu sampaśyanto dharmam etaṁ narendrāḥ | tato 'śapanta śapathān paryayeṇa sahaiva te pārthiva putrapautraiḥ pṛthvīnātha | tad-anantaraṁ vai maharṣi tathā nareśagaṇaḥ tatra kiñcid niścayaṁ kṛtvā asmin dharme dṛṣṭiṁ nidhāya putra-pautra-sahitaḥ paryāyeṇa śapathān aśnuvan |
Bhishma said: There, the great seers and the kings, having reached a firm resolve and keeping this dharma clearly in view, then proceeded to take solemn oaths in turn—each together with his sons and grandsons. O lord of the earth, thereafter the sages and the company of rulers, having thus determined their course, bound themselves by these vows with their lineages, so that the observance of dharma would be secured across generations.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is to be upheld not merely by personal intention but through binding commitments; rulers and sages publicly affirm ethical duty through oaths, ensuring continuity of righteous conduct across generations.
Bhishma describes a scene where sages and kings, after arriving at a decision and reflecting on the dharma in question, take oaths one by one, accompanied by their sons and grandsons, thereby formalizing their commitment.