Shloka 26
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
गां पुरस्कृत्य राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणैः परिवारित: । ऋषच्विग्भिदेवकल्पैश्व तथैव च पुरोहितैः
gāṃ puraskṛtya rājendra brāhmaṇaiḥ parivāritaḥ | ṛṣacvigbhir devakalpaiś ca tathaiva ca purohitaiḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Ô le meilleur des rois, plaçant une vache en tête comme don de bon augure et entouré de brāhmaṇas, je m’approchai pour rendre service, accompagné de prêtres ṛtvij rayonnants, pareils aux dieux, ainsi que des purohitas, les prêtres de la maison. » La scène souligne une manière d’approcher conforme au dharma : humilité, offrande propice (la vache) et conduite de spécialistes rituels instruits lorsqu’on sollicite ou qu’on offre un service légitime.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Approaching a king or undertaking a serious duty should be done in a dharmic manner—through humility, auspicious offerings (symbolized by the cow), and with the counsel and presence of qualified brāhmaṇas and priests, emphasizing legitimacy, purity of intent, and ethical restraint.
Bhīṣma narrates that he went to present himself for service/attendance, leading with a cow and accompanied by brāhmaṇas, sacrificial priests (ṛtviks), and purohitas—depicting a formal, ritually sanctioned approach to a royal setting.