Shloka 17
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
विद्यास्नाता व्रतस्नाता ये व्यपाश्रित्य जीविन: । गूढस्वाध्यायतपसो ब्राह्मणा: संशितव्रता:
bhīṣma uvāca | vidyāsnātā vratāsnātā ye vyapāśritya jīvinaḥ | gūḍhasvādhyāyatapaso brāhmaṇāḥ saṃśitavratāḥ |
Bhishma dijo: «Oh Yudhishthira, hay brahmanes purificados por el saber y por los votos, que sostienen su vida sin ampararse (sin depender) de los ricos, que mantienen ocultos su estudio sagrado y sus austeridades, y que permanecen firmes en observancias rigurosas. Cualquier apoyo y honor que brindes a esos hombres puros y dueños de sí, satisfechos con su propia esposa legítima, se convertirá para ti en fuente de bienestar en este mundo.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s welfare is strengthened by honoring and supporting truly disciplined Brahmins—those refined by learning and vows, self-reliant (not living by dependence on the rich), inwardly devoted (keeping study and austerity unadvertised), and morally restrained. Aid given to such people is portrayed as especially meritorious and auspicious for the ruler.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and kingly duties. Here he identifies a class of exemplary Brahmins and tells Yudhishthira that whatever he does for their support and honor will bring him well-being—framing patronage as an ethical responsibility guided by discernment of character.