Shloka 13
नक्षत्रेषु श्राद्धफलविधानम् (Śrāddha Outcomes According to Nakṣatras)
ददृशुः कृत्तिकास्तं तु बालमर्कसमद्युतिम् । जातस्नेहाच्च सौहार्दात् पुपुषु: स्तन्यविस्त्रवै:
dadṛśuḥ kṛttikās taṃ tu bālam arka-samad-yutim | jāta-snehāc ca sauhārdāt pupuṣuḥ stanya-vistravaiḥ ||
कृत्तिकाओं ने उस बालक को सूर्य के समान दीप्तिमान देखा। हृदय में स्नेह उमड़ आया; और सौहार्दवश वे स्तनों से दूध की धाराएँ बहाकर उसका पालन-पोषण करने लगीं।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma as compassionate care: when innocence and need are encountered, affection and goodwill naturally translate into protection and nourishment, even without prior obligation.
The Kṛttikās see a sun-radiant infant and, moved by sudden affection and friendly tenderness, they feed him with their breast-milk, thereby sustaining and raising him.