Shloka 9
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
कल्यमुत्थाय गोमध्ये गृह दर्भान् सहोदकान् । निषिज्चेत गवां शुद्ध मस्तकेन च तज्जलम्
kalyam utthāya gomadhye gṛha darbḥān sahodakān | niṣiñcet gavāṁ śuddha mastakena ca taj jalam ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Sa madaling-araw, bumangon at pumunta sa gitna ng mga baka, magdala ng damong kuśa na may kasamang tubig, at wisikan ang mga baka. Pagkatapos maging dalisay, wisikan din ng tubig na iyon ang sariling ulo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches a simple rule of daily dharmic conduct: begin the day with auspicious, purifying acts connected with reverence for cows—using darbha and water for sprinkling—thereby cultivating ritual cleanliness and a respectful, sattvic disposition.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on proper conduct (anuśāsana), he prescribes a morning practice: rise at dawn, go among the cows, take darbha-grass with water, sprinkle the cows, and then apply that same water to one’s own head as a sign of purification.