Shloka 21
गवां लोकवर्णनं तथा गोप्रदानफलश्रुतिः
Description of the ‘World of Cows’ and the Stated Fruits of Cow-Gift
यः क्षुद्धयाद् वै न विकर्म कुर्या- न्मृदुश्व शान्तो हाृतिथिप्रियश्व । वृत्तिं द्विजायातिसृजेत तस्मै यस्तुल्यशीलश्च सपुत्रदार:
bhīṣma uvāca | yaḥ kṣudhayād vai na vikarma kuryān mṛduś ca śānto hy atithipriyaś ca | vṛttiṃ dvijāyāti-sṛjet tasmai yas tulyaśīlaś ca sa-putra-dāraḥ ||
Bhishma dit : «Il faut assurément assurer les moyens d’existence de ce brahmane qui, même pressé par la faim, ne commet pas d’actes injustes ; qui est doux et calme ; qui aime honorer les hôtes ; et qui garde une disposition égale envers tous, vivant en maître de maison avec épouse et enfants. Un tel homme, ferme dans la conduite juste malgré l’épreuve, mérite d’être soutenu afin que le dharma soit préservé dans la société.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Society (especially rulers and householders) should ensure the maintenance of a Brahmin who remains steadfast in dharma—refusing wrongdoing even when hungry—who is gentle, calm, hospitable, and impartial. Supporting such virtue helps dharma endure.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he describes the qualities of an exemplary Brahmin householder and advises that his livelihood should be provided for—highlighting ethical resilience under hardship and the social duty to sustain the righteous.