Shloka 8
Brāhmaṇa-pūjā and Namaskāra: Criteria of Reverence and Non-Offense (ब्राह्मणपूजा-नमस्कारविधिः)
गोरोचनासमालम्भो वचाहस्तश्न यो भवेत् । घृताक्षतं च यो दद्यान्मस्तके तत्परायण:
gorocanā-samālambho vacā-hastaś ca yo bhavet | ghṛtākṣataṃ ca yo dadyān mastake tat-parāyaṇaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Aquele que unge (o corpo) com gorocanā, mantém vacā na mão e, devotado ao rito, coloca sobre a cabeça akṣata (grãos inteiros) misturados com ghee—esse realiza uma observância auspiciosa e protetora.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights simple auspicious substances—gorocanā, vacā, and ghṛtākṣata—as ritual supports for protection and благоприятность (śubha). The ethical emphasis is on focused, sincere observance (tat-parāyaṇa), suggesting that devotion and careful intent give efficacy to outward acts.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing on dharma and observances. Here he describes a specific auspicious procedure: anointing with gorocanā, holding vacā, and placing ghee-mixed unbroken grains on the head as part of a protective/benedictory rite.