Shloka 52
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
इमान् देवगणांस्तात प्रजापतिगणांस्तथा । ऋषींश्वापि महाभाग परित्रायस्व पावक,तात! महाभाग पावक! इन देवताओं, प्रजापतियों तथा ऋषियोंकी भी रक्षा करो
imān devagaṇāṁs tāta prajāpati-gaṇāṁs tathā | ṛṣīṁś cāpi mahābhāga paritrāyasva pāvaka ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “O minamahal! O maringal na Pāvaka (Apoy)! Ingatan mo ang mga pangkat ng mga diyos na ito, ang mga kalipunan ng mga Prajāpati, at ang mga rishi rin.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma includes safeguarding the foundations of order and wisdom: the devas (cosmic governance), Prajāpatis (procreative/creative continuity), and ṛṣis (spiritual insight). Even a powerful force like Fire is invoked to serve preservation, not harm.
Bhīṣma addresses Pāvaka (Agni) directly, requesting him to protect groups of divine and sacred beings—gods, Prajāpatis, and sages—indicating a moment where Fire’s agency is being directed toward rescue and preservation.