Shloka 106
यज्ञेऽहिंसा-प्राधान्यम्
Primacy of Non-Harm in Sacrificial Ethics
पायसै: सुमनोभिश्न तस्यापि यजन स्मृतम् । ब्राह्मण तो सम्पूर्ण यज्ञोंमें भगवान् विष्णुका ही आदरभाव मानते हैं और खीर तथा फूल आदिसे ही उनकी पूजाका विधान है
pāyasaiḥ sumanobhiś ca tasyāpi yajanaṃ smṛtam | brāhmaṇāḥ tu samparṇe yajñeṣu bhagavān viṣṇum eva ādara-bhāvena manyante, kṣīra-pāyasa-puṣpādibhiḥ eva ca tasya pūjā-vidhānaṃ smṛtam ||
Bhishma disse: “Recorda-se que até mesmo para Ele o culto é realizado com doce arroz ao leite (kheer) e flores perfumadas. Nos sacrifícios completos e devidamente ordenados, os brâmanes prestam honra reverente somente ao Bem-aventurado Senhor Viṣṇu; e a Sua adoração é prescrita por meio de oferendas simples como kheer, flores e semelhantes.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within the context of elaborate, fully performed sacrifices, the tradition emphasizes that Viṣṇu is the primary recipient of reverent honor, and that His worship can be rightly fulfilled through pure, simple offerings like milk-rice and flowers—highlighting devotion and intention over extravagance.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction during the Śānti Parva, he explains ritual and devotional norms: Brahmins conducting complete yajñas still direct their highest reverence to Viṣṇu, and the remembered ordinance (smṛti) prescribes worship with offerings such as pāyasa and flowers.