Shloka 26
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
गां पुरस्कृत्य राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणैः परिवारित: । ऋषच्विग्भिदेवकल्पैश्व तथैव च पुरोहितैः
gāṃ puraskṛtya rājendra brāhmaṇaiḥ parivāritaḥ | ṛṣacvigbhir devakalpaiś ca tathaiva ca purohitaiḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “O best of kings, placing a cow in the forefront, and surrounded by brāhmaṇas, I approached to render service—accompanied by radiant ṛtvij-priests, like the gods themselves, and by the household priests as well.” The scene underscores a dharmic approach: humility, auspicious gifts (the cow), and the guidance of learned ritual specialists when seeking or offering rightful service.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Approaching a king or undertaking a serious duty should be done in a dharmic manner—through humility, auspicious offerings (symbolized by the cow), and with the counsel and presence of qualified brāhmaṇas and priests, emphasizing legitimacy, purity of intent, and ethical restraint.
Bhīṣma narrates that he went to present himself for service/attendance, leading with a cow and accompanied by brāhmaṇas, sacrificial priests (ṛtviks), and purohitas—depicting a formal, ritually sanctioned approach to a royal setting.