Shloka 20
अविद्वान ब्राह्माणो देव: पात्र वै पावनं महत् । विद्वान् भूयस्तरो देव: पूर्णमसागरसंनिभ:
avidvān brāhmaṇo devaḥ pātraṃ vai pāvanaṃ mahat | vidvān bhūyastaro devaḥ pūrṇam asāgara-saṃnibhaḥ ||
قال بهيشما: إنّ البراهمنَ وإن كان غيرَ متعلّمٍ يُعَدّ كائناً إلهياً، ووعاءً عظيماً للتطهير جديراً بالتبجيل. فكيف بالبراهمنِ العالِم؟ إنه أحقّ بالإكرام، كأنه ألوهيةٌ أعظم، يُشبَه بمحيطٍ ممتلئٍ جليلٍ، غنيٍّ بالفضائل.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a hierarchy of reverence grounded in dharma: the Brahmin, by role and sanctifying function, is treated as a purifying and god-like recipient even if unlearned; learning and wisdom elevate that status further, making the learned Brahmin supremely worthy—vast and complete in virtues like a full ocean.
In Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising on proper honor and valuation of persons. Here he emphasizes the sanctity and social-religious worth of Brahmins, contrasting the unlearned with the learned to underscore how knowledge magnifies merit and reverence.