Shloka 27
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
वृषादार्थिर्वाच (प्रतिग्रहो ब्राह्मणानां सृष्टा वृत्तिरनिन्दिता ।) प्रतिग्रहस्तारयति पुष्टिवैं प्रतिगृह्मुताम् मयि यद् विद्यते वित्त तद् वृणुध्वं तपोधना:
bhīṣma uvāca — vṛṣādarbhiḥ uvāca: pratigraho brāhmaṇānāṃ sṛṣṭā vṛttir aninditā | pratigrahas tārayati puṣṭiṃ vai pratigṛhṇatām | mayi yad vidyate vittaṃ tad vṛṇudhvaṃ tapodhanāḥ ||
Bhishma dit : Vṛṣādarbhi déclara—«Pour les brahmanes, l’acceptation des dons (pratigraha) a été établie comme un moyen de subsistance sans blâme. Recevoir des dons sauve ceux qui les reçoivent des détresses telles que la famine et la faim, et devient un moyen de bien-être et de nourriture. Ainsi, ô ascètes riches d’austérité, prenez toute la richesse qui est en ma possession—acceptez-la.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defends pratigraha—accepting gifts—as a dharmically sanctioned and blameless livelihood for Brahmins, emphasizing that it can protect them from hardship (like famine and hunger) and support their well-being.
Within Bhishma’s discourse on dharma, Vṛṣādarbhi addresses ascetics/Brahmins and urges them to accept the wealth he possesses, arguing that receiving such support is legitimate and beneficial for those devoted to austerity.