Shloka 12
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अमावास्यां महाप्राज्ञो विप्रानानाय्य पूजितान् | दक्षिणावर्तिका: सर्वा बृसी: स्वयमथाकरोत्
amāvāsyāṁ mahāprājño viprān ānāyya pūjitān | dakṣiṇāvartikāḥ sarvā bṛsīḥ svayam athākarot |
Bhishma berkata: “Pada hari amāvasyā, sang resi yang amat bijaksana memanggil para brāhmaṇa dan memuliakan mereka. Lalu dengan tangannya sendiri ia menyiapkan tempat duduk dari rumput kuśa—semuanya dipilin ke arah kanan (searah pradakṣiṇa) sebagai pertanda auspisius—dan mempersilakan mereka duduk di atasnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through reverent hospitality and correct ritual conduct: honoring learned Brahmins on an auspicious tithi, and performing service personally (making the seats oneself) reflects humility, purity, and ethical discipline.
Bhishma describes a wise sage who, on the new-moon day, summons seven Brahmins, honors them, and prepares rightward-twisted kuśa-grass seats for them, seating them properly as part of a ritual observance.