Shloka 28
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्त: स तदा तेन ब्रह्मास्वार्थ परंतप । हुत्वा रणमुखे प्राणान् गतिमिष्टामवाप ह
bhīṣma uvāca | ity uktaḥ sa tadā tena brahmārtha-parantapa | hutvā raṇamukhe prāṇān gatim iṣṭām avāpa ha ||
Бхишма сказал: «О Парантапа, когда кшатрий сказал так, тот чандала, желая уберечь богатство брахмана, принёс свою жизнь в жертву у самого входа в битву и тем достиг желанного состояния.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the moral quality of an act in war depends on intention and dharmic purpose: giving one’s life to protect another’s rightful property—especially a Brahmin’s entrusted wealth—is portrayed as a meritorious sacrifice leading to an auspicious destiny (iṣṭā gati).
After being addressed by a Kshatriya, a Chandala resolves to protect the Brahmin’s wealth; he enters the battle-front and sacrifices his life there, and Bhishma reports that he attains the desired posthumous state.