Shloka 15
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
विश्वलेदेवा: सपितर: साग्नयश्नोपकल्पिता: । विलिप्ता: पुष्पवन्तश्न सुप्रचारा: सुपूजिता: । व्यराजन्त महाराज नक्षत्रपतयो यथा
viśve devāḥ sa-pitaraḥ sāgnayaś copakalpitāḥ | viliptāḥ puṣpavantaś ca supracārāḥ supūjitāḥ | vyarājanta mahārāja nakṣatrapatayo yathā ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O Mahārāja, inalagaan at pinaglingkuran nang nararapat ang mga Brahmin na iyon bilang mga sagisag ng Viśvedevas, ng mga Pitṛ (mga ninuno), at ni Agni. Pinahiran sila ng sandalwood, pinalamutian ng mga kuwintas ng bulaklak, at sinamba sa wastong ritwal. Nakaupo sa mga itinakdang upuan, sila’y nagningning sa karilagan—gaya ng Panginoon ng mga bituin, ang Buwan, sa kalangitan ng gabi.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma through proper honoring of Brāhmaṇas and ritual guests, seeing them as worthy representatives of divine and ancestral principles (Viśvedevas, Pitṛs, Agni). Ethical kingship is shown in reverent service—cleanliness, adornment, and correct procedure—rather than mere display.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where Brāhmaṇas are ceremonially received: they are anointed with sandal paste, given flower garlands, worshipped according to proper rites, and seated on prepared seats. Their dignified presence is compared to the Moon shining among the stars.