Shloka 13
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
ऋषिधर्म: स्मृतो यत्र सरहस्यो महाफल: । महायज्ञफलं चैव सर्वदानफलं तथा
ṛṣidharmaḥ smṛto yatra sa-rahasyo mahāphalaḥ | mahāyajñaphalaṃ caiva sarvadānaphalaṃ tathā ||
جس میں راز کے ساتھ عظیم پھل دینے والا رِشی دھرم یاد کیا گیا ہے، اور جس میں مہایَجْنوں کا پھل اور ہر قسم کے دان کا پھل بھی بیان کیا گیا ہے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the tradition of the sages (ṛṣi-dharma) is not merely external ritual: it contains inner principles (rahasya) and yields great merit, and it also authoritatively explains the ethical-spiritual fruits of sacrifice (yajña) and giving (dāna).
Bhishma, instructing on dharma in the Anushasana Parva, praises a body of teaching that comprehensively expounds hidden doctrines—especially connected with rites like śrāddha—and clarifies the rewards of major sacrifices and all forms of charity.