प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
विश्वे चाग्निमुखा देवा: संख्याता: पूर्वमेव ते । तेषां नामानि वक्ष्यामि भागाहाणां महात्मनाम्
viśve cāgnimukhā devāḥ saṅkhyātāḥ pūrvam eva te | teṣāṃ nāmāni vakṣyāmi bhāgahāṇāṃ mahātmanām ||
ビーシュマは言った。「ヴィシュヴェーデーヴァ(Viśvedevas)についてはすでに汝に数え挙げた。彼らの『口』はアグニ(火)であり、供物は火を通じて受け取られるからである。いまより、祭祀において定められた分け前を受ける資格をもつ大いなる魂たちの名を告げよう。」
भीष्म उवाच
Ritual order and dharma are upheld by recognizing the proper recipients of sacrificial offerings: the gods receive their portions through Agni, the consecrated medium of yajña. The verse emphasizes correct knowledge and proper allocation as part of righteous practice.
Bhishma continues his instruction by transitioning from a prior enumeration of the Viśvedevas to a forthcoming list of their individual names, explaining that these deities—whose offerings are conveyed via Agni—are entitled to shares in the sacrifice.