Shloka 8
Phala of Vrata, Niyama, Svādhyāya, Dama, Satya, Brahmacarya, and Service (व्रत-नियम-स्वाध्याय-दम-सत्य-ब्रह्मचर्य-शुश्रूषा-फलप्रश्नः)
तथा स पित्राभिहतो वाग्वज्रेण कृताञज्जलि: । प्रसीदेति ब्रुवन्नेव गतसत्त्वोडपतद् भुवि
tathā sa pitrābhihato vāgvajreṇa kṛtāñjaliḥ | prasīdeti bruvann eva gatasattvo ’patad bhuvi ||
தந்தையின் வஜ்ரம்போன்ற சொல்லால் தாக்கப்பட்டவன் கைகூப்பி— “அருள்புரிவீராக, ஆண்டவரே” என்று சொல்லிக்கொண்டிருக்கையிலேயே அவன் உயிர்வலிமை தளர்ந்து, தரையில் விழுந்தான்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of speech: words can wound like a weapon (vāg-vajra). It implicitly commends restraint and compassion in speech, and shows the virtue of humility and supplication even under provocation.
A person is verbally struck by his father—described as being hit by a ‘thunderbolt of speech.’ He responds by joining his hands and pleading for the father’s grace, but his strength/life gives way and he collapses to the ground.