Shloka 12
उपवासविधि-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the Discipline of Fasting
भ्रातृणामविभक्तानामुत्थानमपि चेत् सह | न पुत्रभागं विषमं पिता दद्यात् कदाचन
bhrātṝṇām avibhaktānām utthānam api cet saha | na putrabhāgaṁ viṣamaṁ pitā dadyāt kadācana ||
यदि भाइयों का बँटवारा न हुआ हो और सबने मिलकर परिश्रम से कुल-धन बढ़ाया हो, तो पिता के जीवित रहते भी यदि वे अलग होना चाहें, तब पिता को कभी पुत्रों में असमान भाग नहीं देना चाहिए; सबको समान हिस्सा देना ही उचित है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a joint (undivided) family where brothers have jointly increased wealth, the father must not create inequality at the time of separation; he should allot equal shares to all sons, upholding fairness and preventing partiality.
Bhīṣma is instructing on dharma related to household and inheritance norms: if sons who have lived and prospered together seek partition during the father’s lifetime, the father’s duty is to distribute property without favoritism, ensuring equal portions.