Shloka 12
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
दैवतानि च सर्वाणि पूज्यन्तां भूरिदक्षिणम् अग्नयश्लापि हूयन्तां दाशार्णप्रतिषेधने,“देवताओंकी आराधना साधु पुरुषोंके लिये सदा ही सत्य (उत्तम) है। फिर जो दु:ःखके समुद्रमें डूबा हुआ हो, उसके लिये तो कहना ही क्या है। अत: आप गुरुजनों और सम्पूर्ण देवताओंका पूजन करें, ब्राह्मणोंको पर्याप्त दक्षिणा दें और दशार्णराजके लौट जानेके लिये अग्नियोंमें होम करें
daivatāni ca sarvāṇi pūjyantāṁ bhūridakṣiṇam | agnayaś cāpi hūyantāṁ dāśārṇapratiṣedhane ||
Bhīṣma said: “Let all the gods be duly worshipped, with abundant gifts given as sacrificial fees. Let offerings also be poured into the sacred fires, so that the king of Daśārṇa may be turned back. For the virtuous, reverence toward the divine is always a true and elevating course; how much more so for one who is drowning in an ocean of sorrow. Therefore, honor your elders and teachers, worship the gods, give generously to the Brahmins, and perform fire-offerings to avert the Daśārṇa ruler’s advance.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In times of distress, one should intensify dharmic conduct: honor elders and teachers, worship the gods, give generous gifts (dakṣiṇā), and perform Vedic fire-offerings—actions meant to restore order, merit, and protection.
Bhīṣma is advising a ruler facing trouble to undertake religious and charitable rites—worship and homa—specifically aimed at preventing or turning back the Daśārṇa ruler’s hostile move.