Shloka 2
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
कानि श्राद्धानि वर्ज्यानि कानि मूलफलानि च । धान्यजात्यश्व का वज्यस्तिन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca — kāni śrāddhāni varjyāni kāni mūla-phalāni ca | dhānya-jātyaś ca kā varjyas tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : « Grand-père, dis-moi quels types de śrāddha doivent être évités, quelles racines et quels fruits doivent être rejetés, et quelles catégories de grains sont interdites. Je t’en prie, explique-le-moi. »
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry: ritual merit depends not only on performing śrāddha, but on observing proper exclusions—certain forms of the rite and certain food categories (roots, fruits, grains) are considered unfit and must be avoided to preserve purity and intended benefit for ancestors.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions Bhīṣma (addressed as Pitāmaha) about detailed rules for śrāddha—specifically, which rites and which offerings are prohibited—seeking authoritative guidance on correct ancestral observance.