Shloka 58

Devanagari script

पूजयामास विविधैर्गन्धमाल्यैर्महा धनै: । द्विजातीन्‌ देवताश्वैव चैत्यानथ चतुष्पथान्‌

Transliteration

pūjayāmāsa vividhair gandhamālyair mahā-dhanaiḥ | dvijātīn devatāś caiva caityān atha catuṣpathān ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: He performed worship and acts of honor with many kinds of perfumes and garlands, and with abundant gifts of wealth—reverencing the twice-born (brāhmaṇas), the deities, sacred shrines, and also the crossroads.

Word by Word

पूजयामासhe worshipped / honored

विविधैःwith various

गन्धमाल्यैःwith perfumes and garlands

महाgreat (much)

धनैःwith wealth / riches

द्विजातीन्the twice-born (Brahmins etc.)

देवताःthe deities

चand

एवindeed / also

चैत्यान्shrines / sacred monuments

अथthen / and also

चतुष्पथान्crossroads (four-way junctions)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

dvijātis (twice-born, especially brāhmaṇas)

devatās (deities)

caityas (shrines/sacred places)

catuṣpathas (crossroads)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is upheld through reverence and generosity: honoring the learned (dvijas), worshipping the divine, and maintaining respect for sacred and public ritual spaces. Such conduct supports social stability and invites auspiciousness, especially when society faces tension or impending conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma describes a figure engaging in widespread acts of worship and public piety—offering perfumes and garlands and giving substantial gifts—directed toward brāhmaṇas, deities, shrines, and even crossroads, indicating comprehensive ritual observance and civic-religious responsibility.