अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
तास्तु सर्वा: समागम्य ब्रह्माणममितौजसम् | इदमूचुर्वचो राजन् प्रणिपत्य पितामहम्
tāstu sarvāḥ samāgamya brahmāṇam amitaujasam | idam ūcur vaco rājan praṇipatya pitāmaham ||
بھیشم نے کہا—اے راجن، وہ سب اکٹھے ہو کر بے پایاں جلال والے برہما کے پاس آئے، اور پِتامہ کو سجدۂ تعظیم کر کے یہ کلمات کہے۔
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical protocol of seeking guidance: collective deliberation, approaching a legitimate higher authority, and speaking only after respectful submission—suggesting that right counsel is grounded in humility and recognition of dharmic hierarchy.
A group of female figures previously introduced in the chapter gather together, go to Brahmā (called Pitāmaha), bow to him, and begin to present their petition or question; Bhīṣma narrates this to the king as part of the Śānti Parva instruction.