Shloka 36
Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
तदुच्यतां महाभागा इति जातघृणोड<ब्रवीत् । इत्युक्ता वेदशास्त्रज्ञास्तमूचुस्ते महर्षय:
tad ucyatāṃ mahābhāgā iti jātaghṛṇo 'bravīt | ity uktā vedaśāstrajñās tam ūcus te maharṣayaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “O mga dakila, ipahayag ninyo sa akin iyon,” wika ni Parashurama, ang inapo ni Bhṛgu, na ang puso’y lumambot dahil sa habag. Nang siya’y magtanong nang gayon, ang mga dakilang rishi—dalubhasa sa Veda at mga śāstra—ay sumagot, at dito nagsimula ang aral tungkol sa pinakadalisay at sa nagpapatatag ng dharma para sa mga taong nasasadlak sa mararahas at mababangis na gawain.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: even those involved in harsh or violent action must seek what is supremely purifying and dharmically stabilizing. Compassion arising in the questioner and reliance on Vedic sages signal that moral clarity and purification come through humility, learned guidance, and dharma-oriented counsel.
Parashurama, having become compassionate, asks the assembled learned sages to tell him what is most purifying for people engaged in fierce deeds. The sages, being experts in Veda and śāstra, begin their response—this verse functions as the transition into their instruction.