Shloka 53
पात्रलक्षण-परिक्षा (Pātra-Lakṣaṇa Parīkṣā) — Criteria for a Worthy Recipient
पितर: सर्वभूतानां नैतेभ्यो विद्यते परम् ब्राह्मणोंको जो हविष्य अर्पित किया जाता है उसे देवता ग्रहण करते हैं; क्योंकि ब्राह्मण समस्त प्राणियोंके पिता हैं। इनसे बढ़कर दूसरा कोई प्राणी नहीं है
bhīṣma uvāca | pitaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ naitebhyo vidyate param | brāhmaṇeṣu hi yad havir arpyate tad devā gṛhṇanti | yasmād brāhmaṇāḥ sarvaprāṇināṃ pitaraḥ | ebhyaḥ paraṃ na vidyate ||
भीष्म उवाच— ब्राह्मणाः सर्वभूतानां पितरः; न तेभ्यः परं किञ्चिदस्ति। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो यद्धविरर्प्यते तद्देवाः प्रतिगृह्णन्ति, यतो ब्राह्मणाः सर्वप्रजानां पितर इव स्थिताः। तेषां परं न कश्चिदुत्तरो जीवः।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates the Brahmin as a supreme moral and ritual authority: honoring Brahmins through offerings is portrayed as indirectly honoring the gods, because Brahmins are described as the ‘fathers’ (protective progenitors/guardians) of all beings within the dharmic social and sacrificial order.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma—especially duties, gifts, and the fruits of honoring worthy recipients. Here he emphasizes the religious efficacy of offerings made to Brahmins and their exalted status in the ethical-ritual framework he is teaching.