Shloka 23
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
रक्षया स हि तेषां वै महत् सुखमवाप्नुयात् प्रजापतिर्हि वैश्याय सृष्टवा परिददौ पशून्
rakṣayā sa hi teṣāṁ vai mahat sukham avāpnuyāt | prajāpatiḥ hi vaiśyāya sṛṣṭvā paridadau paśūn ||
毗湿摩说道：“护持它们的人，确能获得大乐。因为生主（Prajāpati）创造了牛群之后，便将其托付给吠舍（Vaiśya），把照料与守护之责加于其身。”
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.