Shloka 13
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
ऋषिधर्म: स्मृतो यत्र सरहस्यो महाफल: । महायज्ञफलं चैव सर्वदानफलं तथा
ṛṣidharmaḥ smṛto yatra sa-rahasyo mahāphalaḥ | mahāyajñaphalaṃ caiva sarvadānaphalaṃ tathā ||
Bhishma dit : «Dans cet enseignement est rappelé le dharma des sages—profond, gardé par des sens intérieurs, et porteur d’une grande récompense ; et l’on y expose aussi les fruits des grands sacrifices, ainsi que les fruits de toute forme de don.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the tradition of the sages (ṛṣi-dharma) is not merely external ritual: it contains inner principles (rahasya) and yields great merit, and it also authoritatively explains the ethical-spiritual fruits of sacrifice (yajña) and giving (dāna).
Bhishma, instructing on dharma in the Anushasana Parva, praises a body of teaching that comprehensively expounds hidden doctrines—especially connected with rites like śrāddha—and clarifies the rewards of major sacrifices and all forms of charity.