Shloka 143
Adhyāya 64: Dāna-prakāra—Suvarṇa, Pānīya-dāna, Ghṛta-dāna, and Upakaraṇa-dāna
Utility Gifts
उपच्छन्नं प्रकाशं वा वृत्त्या तान् प्रतिपालयेत् । जिन ब्राह्मणोंका आचरण निन्दित न हो
upacchannaṁ prakāśaṁ vā vṛttyā tān pratipālayet |
Bhishma berkata: “Brahmana semacam itu hendaknya dipelihara—baik secara diam-diam maupun terang-terangan—dengan mengatur penghidupan mereka. Bila ada Brahmana yang laku hidupnya tak tercela namun menderita karena kekurangan nafkah, carilah mereka dan sediakan mata pencaharian, terus-menerus menopang mereka tanpa melukai martabatnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Actively ensure the livelihood of deserving, blameless Brahmins; support may be given discreetly to preserve dignity or openly when appropriate, but it should be steady and protective in intent.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising on dharma and social duties, emphasizing that those responsible for welfare should locate virtuous Brahmins in hardship and arrange their maintenance.