Shloka 2
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
भीष्म उवाच उपानहीौ प्रयच्छेद् यो ब्राह्मणे भ्य: समाहित: । मर्दते कण्टकान् सर्वान् विषमान्निस्तरत्यपि
bhīṣma uvāca | upānahau prayacched yo brāhmaṇebhyaḥ samāhitaḥ | mardate kaṇṭakān sarvān viṣamān nistaraty api |
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh Yudhiṣṭhira, quien, con la mente recogida y firme, da calzado en caridad a los brāhmaṇas, aplasta todas las “espinas” (obstáculos) y atraviesa incluso las adversidades más ásperas. Tal dador se eleva por encima de sus enemigos; y en un nacimiento posterior obtiene un carro espléndido, uncido a mulas.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharmic value of dāna: giving practical support (here, footwear) to worthy recipients with a focused, sincere mind yields protection from obstacles and helps one overcome hardships; it also brings favorable karmic results in future lives.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on duties and the fruits of various gifts. Here he describes the specific merit (phala) of donating footwear to Brāhmaṇas—symbolically removing ‘thorns’ from one’s path and ensuring success and auspicious future attainments.