Shloka 18
Adhyāya 166: Kṛtaghna-doṣa (कृतघ्नदोषः) — the fault of ingratitude and the limits of expiation
न ब्राह्मणो निवेदेत किंचिद् राजनि वेदवित् । स्ववीर्याद् राजवीर्याच्च स्ववीर्य बलवत्तरम्
na brāhmaṇo nivedet kiñcid rājani vedavit | svavīryād rājavīryāc ca svavīryaṃ balavattaram ||
ভীষ্মে ক’লে— বেদজ্ঞ ব্ৰাহ্মণে ৰজাৰ ওচৰত একো নিবেদন বা প্ৰাৰ্থনা কৰা উচিত নহয়; কিয়নো ব্ৰাহ্মণৰ স্বশক্তি আৰু ৰজাৰ শক্তিৰ মাজত ব্ৰাহ্মণৰ স্বশক্তিয়েই অধিক বলৱান।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A Veda-knowing Brahmin should maintain dignity and independence, not seeking favors from kings; spiritual and moral power (rooted in knowledge and discipline) is presented as superior to mere political or military power.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma-instruction, Bhīṣma advises on proper conduct and social-ethical order, contrasting the Brahmin’s inner authority with the king’s external authority and urging restraint in approaching royal patronage.