Shloka 22
श्मशाने हापि तेजस्वी पावको नैव दुष्यति । हविर्यज्ञे च विधिवद् गृह एवातिशोभते
śmaśāne hāpi tejasvī pāvako naiva duṣyati | havir-yajñe ca vidhivad gṛha evātiśobhate ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Bahkan di tanah pembakaran mayat, Api yang bercahaya tidak menjadi tercemar. Apabila persembahan dibuat dengan tertib menurut dharma dalam upacara korban, dan demikian juga di dalam rumah, Api yang sama itu semakin bersinar—mengajar bahawa keunggulan sejati tidak dinodai oleh tempat yang tidak suci, dan apabila digunakan menurut dharma ia menjadi amat bertuah serta layak dimuliakan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Genuine brilliance and purity (symbolized by Agni) are not inherently corrupted by a polluted environment; when the same power is applied in accordance with proper rule and dharma—especially in yajña and in the home—it becomes even more auspicious and resplendent.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction in the Anuśāsana Parva, he uses Agni as an ethical analogy: fire burns in the cremation-ground without becoming impure, and when invoked through prescribed offerings in sacrifice and maintained in the household, it shines with heightened sanctity—supporting his broader discourse on dharma and right conduct.