Shloka 23
Adhyāya 9: Pratiśruta-Dāna
The Duty to Fulfill Promised Gifts
पुत्रान् पौत्रान् पशुंश्वैव बान्धवान् सचिवांस्तथा । पुरं जनपदं चैव शान्तिरिष्टेन पोषयेत्
putrān pautrān paśūṃś caiva bāndhavān sacivāṃs tathā | puraṃ janapadaṃ caiva śāntir iṣṭena poṣayet ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Par le mérite de l’acte juste choisi (iṣṭa), un homme devient une source de paix et de bien-être, soutenant et faisant prospérer ses fils et petits-fils, ses parents, son bétail, ses ministres, ainsi que sa cité et tout le pays alentour.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Righteous, approved action (iṣṭa) generates peace (śānti) that extends beyond the individual, sustaining family, dependents, and the political community (ministers, city, and realm). Dharma is presented as a practical force that nourishes society.
In Bhishma’s instruction on conduct and duties, he explains to the listener that a person’s meritorious practice makes him a stabilizing presence, enabling the prosperity and maintenance of his household and the wider community under his influence.