Shloka 23
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
रक्षया स हि तेषां वै महत् सुखमवाप्नुयात् प्रजापतिर्हि वैश्याय सृष्टवा परिददौ पशून्,पशुओंके पालनसे वैश्यको महान् सुखकी प्राप्ति हो सकती है। प्रजापतिने पशुओंकी सृष्टि करके उनके पालनका भार वैश्यको सौंप दिया था
rakṣayā sa hi teṣāṁ vai mahat sukham avāpnuyāt | prajāpatiḥ hi vaiśyāya sṛṣṭvā paridadau paśūn ||
بھیشم نے کہا—ان کی حفاظت کرنے سے وہ یقیناً عظیم خوشی پاتا ہے۔ پرجاپتی نے مویشی پیدا کرکے انہیں ویشیہ کے سپرد کیا اور ان کی پرورش و حفاظت کی ذمہ داری اسی پر رکھی۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that protecting and properly caring for livestock is a dharmic responsibility—especially associated here with the Vaiśya—and that such protection yields great welfare and happiness, framing animal care as a moral and social duty entrusted by the creator.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction during the Śānti Parva, he explains duties within social order: Prajāpati created cattle and assigned their upkeep to the Vaiśya; therefore, one who safeguards them fulfills an entrusted role and gains great benefit.