Shloka 22
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अथाख्यास्यामि ते पुत्र श्राद्धेयं विधिमुत्तमम् । स्वयम्भुविहितं पुत्र तत् कुरुष्व निबोध मे,“बेटा! अब मैं तुमसे स्वयम्भू ब्रह्माजीकी बतायी हुई श्राद्धकी उत्तम विधिका वर्णन करता हूँ, इसे सुनो और सुनकर इसी विधिके अनुसार श्राद्धका अनुष्ठान करो
athākhyāsyāmi te putra śrāddheyaṃ vidhim uttamam | svayambhuvihitaṃ putra tat kuruṣva nibodha me ||
اے بیٹے! اب میں تمہیں شِرادھ کی بہترین विधि بتاتا ہوں، جو سَویَمبھُو برہما نے مقرر کی ہے۔ غور سے سنو، خوب سمجھو، اور اسی قاعدے کے مطابق شِرادھ ادا کرو۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual action should be performed according to an authoritative, well-established rule: Bhīṣma emphasizes that śrāddha is not arbitrary but to be done as prescribed—here traced to Svayambhū (Brahmā)—and that careful listening and understanding precede correct practice.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma begins a formal exposition of the ‘best’ method of performing śrāddha. He addresses the listener as ‘son,’ asks him to listen and comprehend, and introduces the rite as sanctioned by Brahmā, setting the stage for detailed ritual guidance.