पात्रलक्षण-परिक्षा (Pātra-Lakṣaṇa Parīkṣā) — Criteria for a Worthy Recipient
आदित्यश्रन्द्रमा वायुरापो भूरम्बरं दिश:
ādityaś candramā vāyur āpo bhūr ambaram diśaḥ
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang Araw, ang Buwan, ang Hangin, ang mga Tubig, ang Daigdig, ang Kalangitan, at ang mga Panig—ang mga kapangyarihang kosmiko na ito ay laging naroroon bilang mga saksi at haligi ng kaayusang moral (dharma).”
भीष्म उवाच
That dharma is grounded in the cosmic order: the fundamental forces of the universe (sun, moon, wind, waters, earth, sky, directions) are invoked as ever-present witnesses and supports, reminding one that ethical conduct is accountable beyond human society.
Bhīṣma, in his instruction during the Anuśāsana Parva, lists major cosmic elements/deities to frame his moral discourse—strengthening the authority of his counsel by appealing to universal, omnipresent powers that observe and uphold right conduct.