Shloka 17
अहिंसयित्वा ब्रह्महत्याविधानम् / Brahmahatyā incurred without physical violence
भीष्म उवाच आदिष्टिनो ये राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगा: । भुज्जते ब्रह्म॒कामाय व्रतलुप्ता भवन्ति ते
bhīṣma uvāca | ādiṣṭino ye rājendra brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ | bhuñjate brahmakāmāya vrataluptā bhavanti te ||
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: “O hari, ang mga Brahmin na tinatawag na ‘ādiṣṭin’—yaong bihasa sa Veda at nakatali sa utos ng guro na panatilihin ang brahmacarya sa takdang panahon—kapag kumain sila sa śrāddha upang pagbigyan lamang ang hangarin ng nag-aalay na makapagbigay sa mga Brahmin, ang sarili nilang panata ang nasisira. Ang sala ay nasa kumakain na lumalabag sa disiplina, hindi sa layon ng nagbibigay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A disciplined vow (vrata), especially brahmacarya under a teacher’s injunction, must not be compromised for social convenience. Even if a patron wishes to complete a rite by feeding Brahmins, the vow-holder must protect his own dharma; ethical responsibility is tied to one’s own observance, not merely to pleasing others.
Bhishma instructs the king about ritual and conduct: certain Brahmins (ādiṣṭin students under strict brahmacarya) should not eat in a śrāddha setting just to fulfill the patron’s desire to donate. If they do, their personal vow is considered lapsed—highlighting boundaries between donor’s rite and the recipient’s discipline.