Shloka 43
अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन! महात्मा ब्रह्माजीके ऐसा कहनेपर वृक्ष, ओषधि और तृणका समुदाय उनकी पूजा करके जैसे आया था, वैसे ही शीघ्र लौट गया ।। आहूयाप्सरसो देवस्ततो लोकपितामह: । वाचा मधुरया प्राह सान्त्वयन्निव भारत,भारत! तत्पश्चात् लोकपितामह ब्रह्माजीने अप्सराओंको बुलाकर उन्हें मीठे वचनोंद्वारा सान्त्वना देते हुए-से कहा--
āhūyāpsaraso devas tato lokapitāmahaḥ | vācā madhurayā prāha sāntvayann iva bhārata ||
Bhishma said: O King, when the great-souled Brahmā had spoken thus, the host of trees, herbs, and grasses worshipped him and quickly returned as they had come. Then the divine Grandsire of the worlds, Brahmā, summoned the Apsarases and, with sweet words as though consoling them, spoke—
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic principle of leadership: restoring harmony through madhura-vāc (gentle, sweet speech) and sāntvana (reassurance). Authority is exercised with compassion and emotional intelligence rather than harshness.
After earlier events in the episode, Brahmā—called the Lokapitāmaha—summons the Apsarases and speaks to them in soothing words, as if to calm or reassure them, while Bhīṣma narrates this to Yudhiṣṭhira.