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Shloka 49

Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)

श्रावयेच्चतुरो वर्णान्‌ कृत्वा ब्राह्मणमग्रत: । वेदस्याध्ययनं होदं तच्च कार्य महत्‌ स्मृतम्‌,'ब्राह्णफो आगे रखकर चारों वर्णोको उपदेश देना चाहिये। यह वेदाध्ययन महान्‌ कार्य माना गया है। इसे अवश्य करना चाहिये

śrāvayec caturō varṇān kṛtvā brāhmaṇam agrataḥ | vedasyādhyayanaṃ homaṃ tac ca kāryaṃ mahat smṛtam ||

Bhīṣma said: “One should instruct the four social orders, placing the Brāhmaṇa at the forefront. The study of the Veda and the offering of oblations (homa) are regarded as a great duty; therefore they must certainly be performed.”

श्रावयेत्should cause to hear / should instruct (recite to)
श्रावयेत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootश्रावय् (श्रु धातु, णिच्)
FormVidhi-linga, Present (injunctive sense via vidhi), 3, Singular, Parasmaipada
चतुरःfour
चतुरः:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootचतुर्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
वर्णान्classes/varṇas
वर्णान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवर्ण
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
कृत्वाhaving made/placed
कृत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formक्त्वा (absolutive), Active, Prior action (having done)
ब्राह्मणम्a Brahmin
ब्राह्मणम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
अग्रतःin front / at the forefront
अग्रतः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअग्रतः
वेदस्यof the Veda
वेदस्य:
TypeNoun
Rootवेद
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
अध्ययनम्study/recitation
अध्ययनम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootअध्ययन
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
होमम्oblation / fire-offering
होमम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootहोम
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
तत्that
तत्:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
कार्यम्to be done / obligatory
कार्यम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootकार्य
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
महत्great
महत्:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
स्मृतम्is considered/remembered (as)
स्मृतम्:
TypeVerb
Rootस्मृ
Formक्त (past passive participle), Neuter, Nominative, Singular, Passive (PPP)

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
B
Brāhmaṇa
T
the four varṇas
V
Veda
H
homa (fire-offering)

Educational Q&A

Bhīṣma emphasizes that transmitting Vedic learning and maintaining Vedic rites are major obligations: society should be taught with the Brāhmaṇa (as the traditional custodian of Vedic knowledge) placed foremost, and Veda-study together with homa should be undertaken as a great, mandatory duty.

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising on proper conduct and social-religious responsibilities, highlighting the importance of Vedic education and ritual practice as foundational supports of order and righteousness.