Shloka 22
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अथाख्यास्यामि ते पुत्र श्राद्धेयं विधिमुत्तमम् । स्वयम्भुविहितं पुत्र तत् कुरुष्व निबोध मे
athākhyāsyāmi te putra śrāddheyaṃ vidhim uttamam | svayambhuvihitaṃ putra tat kuruṣva nibodha me ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Mon fils, je vais maintenant t’exposer la plus excellente manière d’accomplir le śrāddha, telle qu’elle fut ordonnée par Svayambhū (Brahmā). Écoute avec attention, comprends-la pleinement, puis accomplis le śrāddha selon cette règle même.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual action should be performed according to an authoritative, well-established rule: Bhīṣma emphasizes that śrāddha is not arbitrary but to be done as prescribed—here traced to Svayambhū (Brahmā)—and that careful listening and understanding precede correct practice.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma begins a formal exposition of the ‘best’ method of performing śrāddha. He addresses the listener as ‘son,’ asks him to listen and comprehend, and introduces the rite as sanctioned by Brahmā, setting the stage for detailed ritual guidance.