Shloka 42
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
क्योंकि श्रद्धा सबसे बड़ा देवता है। वही यज्ञ करने-वालोंको पवित्र करती है। ब्राह्मण साक्षात् यज्ञ करानेके कारण परम देवता माने गये हैं। सभी वर्णोके लोग अपने-अपने कर्मद्वारा एक-दूसरेके यज्ञोंमें सहायक होते हैं ।। अयजजन्नरिह सत्रैस्ते तैस्तै: कामै: समाहिता: । संसृष्टा ब्राह्मणैरेव त्रिषु वर्णेषु सृष्टय:
ayajann iha satrais te tais taiḥ kāmaiḥ samāhitāḥ | saṃsṛṣṭā brāhmaṇair eva triṣu varṇeṣu sṛṣṭayaḥ ||
Bhishma explains that in this world faith (śraddhā) is the greatest divinity, for it purifies those who sacrifice. Brahmins are regarded as the highest sacred power because they directly preside over and accomplish the yajña. All social orders aid one another’s sacrifices through their respective works. People undertake satra-yajñas, each intent on particular aims and desires; yet these rites are properly constituted only through association with Brahmins, for the social orders are established and sustained through the Brahmins’ ritual and sacred function. The moral is that religious action and social cooperation depend on right guidance and mutual support among the varṇas, with Brahmins serving as indispensable ritual mediators.
भीष्म उवाच