Shloka 17
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
मत्ते गजे गोवृषभे नरेन्द्र सिंहासने सत्पुरुषेषु नित्यम्
bhīṣma uvāca | matte gaje govṛṣabhe narendra-siṃhāsane satpuruṣeṣu nityam | yatra gṛhe agnau āhutīḥ kriyante, gāvo brāhmaṇāś ca devāś ca pūjyante, kāle kāle ca yatra puṣpair devatābhyo upahārāḥ samarpitāḥ, tasmin gṛhe ahaṃ nityaṃ vasāmi |
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Yo habito constantemente donde hay un elefante altivo, un toro preeminente entre las vacas, un rey en su trono y donde residen hombres verdaderos y virtuosos. También permanezco para siempre en aquel hogar donde se vierten debidamente ofrendas en el fuego sagrado, donde se honra a la vaca y al brāhmaṇa y se venera a las deidades, y donde, en los tiempos señalados, se presentan flores como dones a los dioses».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that auspiciousness and moral stability abide where strength is disciplined by dharma: noble leadership (king on the throne), righteous power (bull/elephant as symbols), and the presence of virtuous people, supported by regular Vedic rites and reverence for cows, Brahmins, and the gods.
In Bhishma’s instruction on conduct (anuśāsana), he describes the marks of a blessed and dharmic dwelling—one sustained by ritual offerings, proper worship, and the company of the virtuous—indicating where divine favor and prosperity are said to reside.