Shloka 12
यज्ञेऽहिंसा-प्राधान्यम्
Primacy of Non-Harm in Sacrificial Ethics
यच्चापि किंचित् कर्तव्यमन्यच्चोक्षै: सुसंस्कृतम् । महासत्त्वै: शुद्धभावै: सर्व देवाहमेव तत्
bhīṣma uvāca | yac cāpi kiñcit kartavyam anyac cokṣaiḥ susaṃskṛtam | mahāsattvaiḥ śuddhabhāvaiḥ sarva devāham eva tat ||
Bhishma said: Whatever else is to be prepared, and whatever is well-consecrated by sprinklings (and similar purificatory rites), when made by great-souled men of pure intention—everything of that kind is fit to be offered to the gods. The ethical point is that ritual offerings gain their true sanctity not merely from materials, but from correct consecration and the inner purity of the performer.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Offerings become truly fit for the gods when they are properly consecrated (e.g., by ritual sprinkling) and prepared by people of pure conduct and intention; inner purity and correct rite together sanctify the act.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and ritual propriety, Bhishma is explaining standards for sacrificial/ritual preparation, emphasizing that items duly purified and consecrated by virtuous persons are appropriate for divine offering.