Shloka 24
तीर्थवंशोपदेशः
Tīrtha-vaṃśa Upadeśa: Instruction on the Fruits of Sacred Waters
चीर्णव्रता गुणैर्युक्ता भवेयुर्येडपि कर्षका: । सावित्रीज्ञा: क्रियावन्तस्ते राजन् केतनक्षमा:
bhīṣma uvāca |
cīrṇavratā guṇairyuktā bhaveyur ye 'pi karṣakāḥ |
sāvitrījñāḥ kriyāvantas te rājan ketanakṣamāḥ ||
Bhishma dit : «Ô roi, même s’ils vivent de la culture des champs, ces brahmanes qui observent fidèlement leurs vœux, sont pourvus de bonnes qualités, s’appliquent aux rites prescrits et connaissent la Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī) sont dignes d’être conviés au śrāddha.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that eligibility for being invited to a śrāddha is grounded in character and Vedic discipline—observance of vows, possession of virtues, and diligence in rites—rather than being disqualified merely due to one’s livelihood such as farming.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma advises the king about whom to invite for śrāddha. He clarifies that even Brahmins who work as cultivators may be invited if they are vow-observant, virtuous, ritually diligent, and know the Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī).