Shloka 9
धुरि ये नावसीदन्ति विषये सदगवा इव । पितृदेवातिथिमुखा हव्यकव्याग्रभोजिन:
dhuri ye nāvasīdanti viṣaye sadgavā iva | pitṛdevātithimukhā havyakavyāgrabhojinaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Yaong hindi lumulubog o nanghihina sa ilalim ng pamatok ng pananagutan sa buhay sa daigdig—gaya ng mabubuting baka na hindi nagluluwag habang may pasan—ay hindi nakadarama ng hirap sa pagdadala ng bigat ng dharma. Ang gayong mga tao ay nagiging, wari’y, ‘bibig’ ng mga diyos, ng mga ninuno, at ng mga panauhin: sila ang unang may karapatang tumanggap ng unang bahagi ng mga handog, maging havya para sa mga diyos o kavya para sa mga ninuno.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfastness in bearing one’s responsibilities—especially the practical burdens of dharma in worldly life—is a mark of the truly virtuous. Such people become foremost beneficiaries of religious merit and social honor, symbolized by receiving the first portions in offerings to gods and ancestors and by being central to hospitality.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anuśāsana Parva), he praises those who do not falter under duty. Using the image of strong oxen under a yoke, he describes exemplary householders/virtuous persons as primary recipients in ritual and hospitality—metaphorically the ‘mouths’ through which gods, ancestors, and guests are served.