Shloka 16
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
गुरुभ्य आसन देयं कर्तव्यं चाभिवादनम् । गुरूनभ्यर्च्य युज्यन्ते आयुषा यशसा श्रिया
gurubhya āsanaṃ deyaṃ kartavyaṃ cābhivādanam | gurūn abhyarcya yujyante āyuṣā yaśasā śriyā ||
يعلّم بهيشما: ينبغي أن يُقدَّم المقعد للمعلمين والكبار، وأن يُستقبلوا بتحيةٍ خاشعة. وبإكرام هؤلاء الغورو وتوقيرهم ينال المرء طول العمر، وحسن الذكر، والرخاء.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Reverence to gurus and elders—expressed through offering a seat, salutations, and honoring worship—is a dharmic duty that brings tangible fruits: longevity, good reputation, and prosperity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on proper conduct (sadācāra), highlighting respectful behavior toward teachers and elders as a foundational social and ethical practice.