Shloka 50
Adhyāya 270 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on saṃnyāsa; Bhīṣma on calculable time, tamas, and karma
Vṛtra–Uśanā exemplum begins
भीष्म उवाच ततः पपात शिरसा ब्राह्मणस्तोयधारिणे । उवाच चैन धर्मात्मा महान् मे<नुग्रह: कृत:
bhīṣma uvāca tataḥ papāta śirasā brāhmaṇas toyadhāriṇe | uvāca cainaṃ dharmātmā mahān me ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Then the brāhmaṇa fell headlong in reverence before the bearer of water. And that righteous man addressed him, saying, ‘A great favor has been done to me.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct through humility and gratitude: true righteousness is shown by honoring others (even in socially modest roles) and recognizing kindness as ‘anugraha’ (grace/favor).
In Bhīṣma’s narration, a brāhmaṇa bows down with his head before a water-bearer, and the righteous person then speaks, acknowledging that a great favor has been done.