Shloka 21
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
क्षत्रिय: शतवर्षी च दशवर्षी द्विजोत्तम: । पितापुत्रौ च विज्ञेयौ तयोरहिं ब्राह्मणो गुरु:
kṣatriyaḥ śatavarṣī ca daśavarṣī dvijottamaḥ | pitāputrau ca vijñeyau tayor ahiṁ brāhmaṇo guruḥ ||
ভীষ্মে ক’লে—ক্ষত্ৰিয় যদি শতবছৰীয়া হয় আৰু শ্ৰেষ্ঠ ব্ৰাহ্মণ যদি দহবছৰীয়া হয়, তথাপি দুয়োকে পিতা-পুত্ৰৰ সম্পৰ্কতেই বুজিব লাগে। সেই জুটিত ব্ৰাহ্মণ পিতা আৰু গুৰু; ক্ষত্ৰিয় পুত্ৰসম।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma-based precedence is determined by spiritual authority and sacred learning: a Brāhmaṇa, even if younger in age, is to be regarded as guru and ‘father’ relative to a Kṣatriya, who is to show deference like a ‘son’.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on conduct and social duties, Bhīṣma lays down a rule of respectful hierarchy, using an age-contrast example to emphasize that status in dharma is not merely biological seniority but the role of the Brāhmaṇa as teacher and guide.