भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
उत जाता: सुनक्षत्रे सुतिथौ सुमुहूर्तजा: । यज्ञदानप्रजेहायां यतन्ते शक्तिपूर्वकम्
uta jātāḥ sunakṣatre sutithau sumuhūrtajāḥ | yajñadānaprajehāyāṃ yatante śaktipūrvakam ||
Bhishma berkata: “Mereka yang lahir di bawah rasi yang mujur, pada tithi yang mujur, dan pada saat yang mujur, berusaha sekuat tenaga sesuai kemampuan mereka untuk melaksanakan yajna dan memberi dana, serta berupaya memperoleh keturunan dengan cara yang selaras dengan keadilan dan dharma.”
भीष्म उवाच
Auspicious circumstances of birth are presented as conducive to a dharmic life: one should, within one’s means, uphold the householder ideals of sacrifice (yajña), charity (dāna), and righteous continuation of lineage (prajā) through just conduct.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by describing the conduct of those born at favorable times: they actively pursue ritual duty, generosity, and socially just family life, emphasizing effort aligned with capacity.