Shloka 21
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
मुनींश्व धारयन्तीह प्रजाश्वैवापि कर्मणा । वासवाकूटवाहिन्य: कर्मणा सुकृतेन च
munīṃś ca dhārayantīha prajāś caivāpi karmaṇā | vāsavākūṭavāhinyaḥ karmaṇā sukṛtena ca ||
Bhishma disse: “Aqui, por seus próprios feitos, as vacas sustentam tanto os sábios quanto o povo. Ó Vāsava (Indra), não há engano em sua conduta; por ação justa e por méritos, permanecem continuamente dedicadas ao bem.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that cows are upheld as embodiments of straightforward, non-deceptive conduct and as sources of welfare: through their beneficial actions they support both spiritual life (sages) and social life (the people), illustrating dharma expressed as practical, merit-producing service.
Bhishma continues his instruction in Anuśāsana Parva by praising the ethical and societal value of cows, addressing Indra (Vāsava) and asserting that cows, by their natural and righteous ‘work,’ sustain sages and the wider community without guile.