उपदेशदोषप्रसङ्गः (Upadeśa-doṣa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Risk of Misapplied Counsel
तांस्तु दृष्टया मुनिगणान् देवकल्पान् महौजस: । विविधां वहतो दीक्षां सम्प्राहृष्पत भारत,भरतनन्दन! उस आश्रमके महातेजस्वी देवोपम मुनियोंको नाना प्रकारकी दीक्षा धारण किये देख उस शूद्रको बड़ा हर्ष हुआ
tāṁstu dṛṣṭvā munigaṇān devakalpān mahaujasāḥ | vividhāṁ vahato dīkṣāṁ samprāhṛṣyata bhārata bharatanandana ||
Bhishma berkata: Melihat rombongan para resi—bercahaya, laksana para dewa—yang memikul pelbagai bentuk diksha dan laku suci yang ditahbiskan, maka śūdra itu dipenuhi kegembiraan besar, wahai Bharata, wahai kebanggaan kaum Bharata. Pemandangan pertapa yang berdisiplin dan bercahaya itu membangkitkan rasa hormat serta sukacita dalam dirinya.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the uplifting force of visible dharmic discipline: the sages’ radiance and vowed conduct (dīkṣā) naturally inspire joy and reverence, suggesting that ethical-spiritual practice can awaken aspiration across social boundaries.
Bhīṣma narrates that an unnamed śūdra comes to an āśrama and, upon seeing godlike, powerful sages observing diverse consecrated vows, becomes deeply delighted and encouraged by their presence.