अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
स्वरेण मधुरेणाथ सान्त्वयन्निव भारत । महाबाहु भारत! तब ब्रह्माजीने उस ब्रह्महत्याको अपनी मीठी वाणीद्वारा सान्त्वना देते हुए-से उससे कहा--
svareṇa madhureṇātha sāntvayann iva bhārata | mahābāho bhārata! tadā brahmājī tena brahmahatyāṃ svayā mīṭhī vāṇyā sāntvayann iva tām uvāca—
Bhishma said: “O Bharata, in a gentle and sweet tone, as though consoling her, Brahmā then addressed that Brahmahatyā—speaking to her with soothing words.”
भीष्म उवाच
Even when dealing with grave wrongdoing or its consequences, the text highlights the ethical power of gentle, pacifying speech—authority (Brahmā) responds not with harshness but with calming words, implying that restoration of dharma often begins with compassionate guidance.
Bhishma narrates a scene in which Brahmā addresses the personified Brahmahatyā (the consequence/sin of Brahmin-slaying). Brahmā speaks in a sweet tone, as if consoling her, setting up the next instruction or resolution in the episode.