Shloka 8
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
आर्जवं भृत्यभरणं नवैते सार्ववर्णिका: । ब्राह्मणस्य तु यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि केवलम्
bhīṣma uvāca | ārjavaṁ bhṛtyabharaṇaṁ navaite sārvavarṇikāḥ | brāhmaṇasya tu yo dharmas taṁ te vakṣyāmi kevalam ||
সরলতা ও আশ্রিতজনের ভরণ-পোষণ—এবং অন্যান্যসহ এই নয়টি আচরণ সকল বর্ণেরই কল্যাণকর। এখন আমি তোমাকে কেবল ব্রাহ্মণের বিশেষ ধর্ম বলছি।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma distinguishes between (1) ethical duties that are universal—beneficial for all varṇas—and (2) duties that are specific to the Brahmin. This verse serves as a transition: it affirms common moral foundations (like straightforwardness and supporting dependents) before moving to Brahmin-specific dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on dharma after the war. Here he concludes a list of nine general duties shared by all and signals that he will next explain the particular obligations of Brahmins.