Shloka 67
Dharma-vyādha’s Analysis of Moral Decline and the Mahābhūta–Guṇa Schema (धर्मव्याधोपदेशः)
द्विजपादोदकक्लिन्ना यावत् तिष्ठति मेदिनी । तावत् पुष्करपर्णेन पिबन्ति पितरो जलम्,ब्राह्मणोंके चरण पखारनेके जलसे जबतक पृथ्वी भीगी रहती है, तबतक पितरलोग कमलके पत्तेसे जल पीते हैं
dvijapādodakaklinnā yāvat tiṣṭhati medinī | tāvat puṣkaraparṇena pibanti pitaro jalam ||
Chừng nào mặt đất còn thấm ướt bởi nước đã rửa chân một vị Bà-la-môn, chừng ấy các Pitṛ (tổ tiên) còn uống dòng nước ấy, như thể uống từ một chiếc lá sen.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Respect shown to worthy persons—especially brāhmaṇas and guests—creates lasting spiritual benefit; even a simple act like offering water for washing feet is portrayed as directly nourishing the ancestors, emphasizing continuity of duty across generations.
Yudhiṣṭhira articulates a dharma-based belief: the water from washing a brāhmaṇa’s feet remains efficacious while it still moistens the ground, during which time the Pitṛs are said to partake of it—highlighting the unseen fruits of righteous conduct.