Shloka 17
उपवासविधि-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the Discipline of Fasting
स होषां वृत्तिदाता स्यात् स चैतान् प्रतिपालयेत् । कनिष्ठास्तं नमस्येरन् सर्वे छन्दानुवर्तिन:
sa hoṣāṃ vṛttidātā syāt sa caitān pratipālayet | kaniṣṭhās taṃ namasyeran sarve chandānuvartinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: Ele deve tornar-se o provedor do sustento deles e também deve protegê-los e mantê-los. Os mais jovens devem inclinar-se diante dele; todos, de livre vontade, seguindo sua orientação e sua disciplina.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate authority in dharma is inseparable from duty: one who is placed above others must provide their livelihood and protect them; in return, juniors show respect and follow his direction willingly.
Bhishma continues his instruction on dharma, describing the proper relationship between a senior/guardian (or leader) and those dependent on him: he must sustain and safeguard them, and they, as juniors, should honor and follow him.