Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 22
श्मशाने हापि तेजस्वी पावको नैव दुष्यति । हविर्यज्ञे च विधिवद् गृह एवातिशोभते
śmaśāne hāpi tejasvī pāvako naiva duṣyati | havir-yajñe ca vidhivad gṛha evātiśobhate ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Kahit sa pook ng pagsusunog ng bangkay, ang maningning na Apoy ay hindi nadudungisan. Kapag ang mga handog ay iniaalay nang wasto sa sakripisyo, at gayundin sa loob ng tahanan, ang Apoy na iyon ay lalo pang nagliliwanag—itinuturo na ang tunay na kadakilaan ay hindi nadudungisan ng maruming kapaligiran, at kapag ginamit ayon sa dharma ay nagiging lubhang mapalad at karapat-dapat sa paggalang.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Genuine brilliance and purity (symbolized by Agni) are not inherently corrupted by a polluted environment; when the same power is applied in accordance with proper rule and dharma—especially in yajña and in the home—it becomes even more auspicious and resplendent.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction in the Anuśāsana Parva, he uses Agni as an ethical analogy: fire burns in the cremation-ground without becoming impure, and when invoked through prescribed offerings in sacrifice and maintained in the household, it shines with heightened sanctity—supporting his broader discourse on dharma and right conduct.