Shloka 9
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
इध्मोदकप्रदातारं शून्यपालं ममाश्रमे । विनीतमाचार्यकुले सुयुक्त गुरुकर्मणि
idhmodaka-pradātāraṁ śūnya-pālaṁ mamāśrame | vinītam ācārya-kule suyuktaṁ guru-karmaṇi |
ភីស្មៈ «“ឱ ស្តេច! វានាំឈើសម្រាប់ភ្លើង និងទឹកមកឲ្យខ្ញុំ។ ពេលអាស្រមខ្ញុំគ្មានអ្នកណា វាជាអ្នកការពារ។ វាបានរស់នៅក្នុងគ្រួសារគ្រូ ហើយរៀនវិន័យនិងភាពទាបទន់; វាខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងក្នុងកិច្ចបម្រើគ្រូយ៉ាងត្រឹមត្រូវ។”»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of humble service and disciplined training: one who faithfully performs simple duties (bringing firewood and water), protects what is entrusted to him, and remains properly engaged in guru-service is praised as well-trained and worthy.
Bhishma is describing a devoted attendant/guardian in his hermitage—someone who supplies necessities, guards the ashram when it is empty, and has been trained in the teacher’s household—emphasizing the person’s suitability and disciplined conduct.