Shloka 34
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
स तु क्रतुवरेणेष्टवा महात्मा दक्षिणावता
sa tu kratuvareṇeṣṭvā mahātmā dakṣiṇāvatā | pracura-dakṣiṇā-sampannaṃ taṃ śreṣṭha-yajñam anuṣṭhānaṃ pūrayitvā mahāmanā bhṛguvaṃśī paraśurāmaḥ manasi dayābhāvaṃ kṛtvā śāstrajñān ṛṣīn devāṃś caivam apṛcchat— “mahābhāgā mahātmānaḥ! ugra-karmaṇi lagnānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ yat parama-pāvanaṃ vastu, tad me brūta.” iti tena pṛṣṭe vedā-śāstra-vidaḥ maharṣayaḥ evam ūcuḥ—
Bhīṣma dit : «Après que le magnanime Paraśurāma eut accompli un sacrifice excellent, abondant en dons, et qu’il eut dûment achevé ce rite éminent, la compassion s’éveilla dans son cœur. Il interrogea alors les sages versés dans les śāstra et les dieux : “Ô bienheureux, ô grandes âmes ! Dites-moi quel est le moyen de purification suprême pour les hommes engagés dans des actes âpres et violents.” À cette question, ces grands ṛṣi, connaisseurs des Veda et des śāstra, répondirent ainsi.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after completing grand rituals, the ethical problem of violence remains: those engaged in harsh deeds must seek the highest means of purification. The verse frames purification not merely as ritual completion but as a moral-spiritual concern addressed through authoritative guidance from sages and the gods.
Parasurama, having finished a major sacrifice with abundant gifts, becomes compassionate and asks learned sages and the gods what supremely purifying practice exists for people involved in fierce actions. The sages, experts in Veda and śāstra, prepare to answer.