Shloka 14
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
आशीविषसमेभ्यश्ष तेभ्यो रक्षस्व भारत । तान् युक्तैरुपजिज्ञास्यस्तथा द्विजवरोत्तमान्
bhīṣma uvāca | āśīviṣa-samebhyaś ca tebhyo rakṣasva bhārata | tān yuktair upajijñāsyas tathā dvija-varottamān |
Bhishma dit : «Ô Bharata (Yudhishthira), protège-toi de tels hommes, semblables à des serpents venimeux. Par des émissaires compétents, enquête avec soin et reconnais ces brahmanes-sages, les plus éminents : ceux qui ne désirent rien des dieux ni des hommes, qui demeurent toujours satisfaits, et qui vivent de ce qui vient sans être demandé. Une fois découverts, invite-les et honore-les chaque jour par une hospitalité entière ; car lorsque ces ascètes vénérables sont affligés, ils peuvent devenir redoutables comme des serpents chargés de poison.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must actively seek out truly content, desireless, and self-sustaining Brahmin sages and honor them consistently. Neglecting or distressing such persons is dangerous, because their anger—born of injury or disrespect—can be as deadly as a venomous snake. The ethical thrust is vigilant respect, protection of dharma through hospitality, and prudent governance.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on righteous conduct and royal duties. Here he warns Yudhishthira to identify eminent Brahmins through reliable agents and to invite and honor them regularly, emphasizing that if such ascetics are made unhappy they can become formidable, hence the king should safeguard himself by proper reverence and support.