Shloka 21
गवां लोकवर्णनं तथा गोप्रदानफलश्रुतिः
Description of the ‘World of Cows’ and the Stated Fruits of Cow-Gift
यः क्षुद्धयाद् वै न विकर्म कुर्या- न्मृदुश्व शान्तो हाृतिथिप्रियश्व । वृत्तिं द्विजायातिसृजेत तस्मै यस्तुल्यशीलश्च सपुत्रदार:
bhīṣma uvāca | yaḥ kṣudhayād vai na vikarma kuryān mṛduś ca śānto hy atithipriyaś ca | vṛttiṃ dvijāyāti-sṛjet tasmai yas tulyaśīlaś ca sa-putra-dāraḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Dapat tiyaking maiaayos ang ikabubuhay ng brahmana na, kahit gipitin ng gutom, ay hindi gumagawa ng masama; na mahinahon at payapa; na nagmamahal sa paggalang sa panauhin; at may pantay na loob sa lahat—nabubuhay bilang maybahay na may asawa at mga anak. Ang taong nananatiling matuwid sa kabila ng hirap ay nararapat alalayan upang mapangalagaan ang dharma sa lipunan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Society (especially rulers and householders) should ensure the maintenance of a Brahmin who remains steadfast in dharma—refusing wrongdoing even when hungry—who is gentle, calm, hospitable, and impartial. Supporting such virtue helps dharma endure.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he describes the qualities of an exemplary Brahmin householder and advises that his livelihood should be provided for—highlighting ethical resilience under hardship and the social duty to sustain the righteous.