Shloka 34
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
स तु क्रतुवरेणेष्टवा महात्मा दक्षिणावता
sa tu kratuvareṇeṣṭvā mahātmā dakṣiṇāvatā | pracura-dakṣiṇā-sampannaṃ taṃ śreṣṭha-yajñam anuṣṭhānaṃ pūrayitvā mahāmanā bhṛguvaṃśī paraśurāmaḥ manasi dayābhāvaṃ kṛtvā śāstrajñān ṛṣīn devāṃś caivam apṛcchat— “mahābhāgā mahātmānaḥ! ugra-karmaṇi lagnānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ yat parama-pāvanaṃ vastu, tad me brūta.” iti tena pṛṣṭe vedā-śāstra-vidaḥ maharṣayaḥ evam ūcuḥ—
ビーシュマは語った。「大いなる魂をもつパラシュラーマは、布施に富む最上の供犠を捧げ、その第一の儀礼を法にかなって成就すると、心に憐れみが湧き起こった。そこで彼は、シャーストラに通じた聖仙たちと神々にこう問うた。『幸いなる大徳の方々よ。苛烈で暴力的な業に携わる人間にとって、最も清めとなる道とは何か、私にお示しください。』このように問うと、ヴェーダとシャーストラを究めた大仙たちは次のように答えた。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after completing grand rituals, the ethical problem of violence remains: those engaged in harsh deeds must seek the highest means of purification. The verse frames purification not merely as ritual completion but as a moral-spiritual concern addressed through authoritative guidance from sages and the gods.
Parasurama, having finished a major sacrifice with abundant gifts, becomes compassionate and asks learned sages and the gods what supremely purifying practice exists for people involved in fierce actions. The sages, experts in Veda and śāstra, prepare to answer.