Shloka 27
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
वृषादार्थिर्वाच (प्रतिग्रहो ब्राह्मणानां सृष्टा वृत्तिरनिन्दिता ।) प्रतिग्रहस्तारयति पुष्टिवैं प्रतिगृह्मुताम् मयि यद् विद्यते वित्त तद् वृणुध्वं तपोधना:
bhīṣma uvāca — vṛṣādarbhiḥ uvāca: pratigraho brāhmaṇānāṃ sṛṣṭā vṛttir aninditā | pratigrahas tārayati puṣṭiṃ vai pratigṛhṇatām | mayi yad vidyate vittaṃ tad vṛṇudhvaṃ tapodhanāḥ ||
Бхишма сказал: Вришадарбхи произнёс—«Для брахманов принятие даров (pratigraha) установлено как безупречный способ пропитания. Принятие даров спасает принимающих от бедствий — голода, неурожая и нужды — и становится средством благополучия и питания. Потому, о подвижники, богатые тапасом, возьмите всё богатство, что при мне, — примите его».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defends pratigraha—accepting gifts—as a dharmically sanctioned and blameless livelihood for Brahmins, emphasizing that it can protect them from hardship (like famine and hunger) and support their well-being.
Within Bhishma’s discourse on dharma, Vṛṣādarbhi addresses ascetics/Brahmins and urges them to accept the wealth he possesses, arguing that receiving such support is legitimate and beneficial for those devoted to austerity.