Shloka 6

पात्रलक्षण-परिक्षा (Pātra-Lakṣaṇa Parīkṣā) — Criteria for a Worthy Recipient

Devanagari script

आदित्यश्रन्द्रमा वायुरापो भूरम्बरं दिश:

Transliteration

ādityaś candramā vāyur āpo bhūr ambaram diśaḥ

Translation

ビーシュマは言った。「太陽、月、風、水、大地、天空、そして諸方位——これら宇宙の力は常に在り、ダルマの秩序の証人となり支えとなる。」

Word by Word

• आदित्यः: the Sun
• आदित्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदित्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• चन्द्रमा: the Moon
• चन्द्रमा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्रमस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वायुः: the wind
• वायुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• आपः: the waters
• आपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• भूः: the earth
• भूः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• अम्बरम्: the sky/firmament
• अम्बरम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बर
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• दिशः: the directions
• दिशः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Āditya (Sun)
• Candramā (Moon)
• Vāyu (Wind)
• Āpaḥ (Waters)
• Bhū (Earth)
• Ambaram (Sky)
• Diśaḥ (Directions)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

That dharma is grounded in the cosmic order: the fundamental forces of the universe (sun, moon, wind, waters, earth, sky, directions) are invoked as ever-present witnesses and supports, reminding one that ethical conduct is accountable beyond human society.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma, in his instruction during the Anuśāsana Parva, lists major cosmic elements/deities to frame his moral discourse—strengthening the authority of his counsel by appealing to universal, omnipresent powers that observe and uphold right conduct.