Shloka 5
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
विद्यास्वभिविनीतानां दान्तानां मृदुभाषिणाम् | श्रुतवृत्तोपपन्नानां सदाक्षरविदां सताम्
vidyāsv abhivinītānāṃ dāntānāṃ mṛdubhāṣiṇām | śrutavṛttopapannānāṃ sadākṣaravidāṃ satām ||
Bhishma sprach: „Ich achte jene Brahmanen, die durch Lernen wahrhaft gezügelt sind: selbstbeherrscht, die Sinne gebändigt, sanft in der Rede, reich an Schriftwissen und rechter Lebensführung, und standhaft in der Erkenntnis des unvergänglichen Höchsten. O Yudhishthira, in den Versammlungen sprechen sie wie ein Schwarm Schwäne: mit tiefer, wolkengleicher Schwere und mit Worten, die schön, glückverheißend und klar gefügt sind. Begehrt ein König, sie zu hören, so bringt ihr Rat Glück und Wohlergehen in dieser Welt und in der jenseitigen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that the most valuable advisors are those whose learning produces humility and discipline: they restrain the senses, speak gently, unite scripture with ethical conduct, and are grounded in imperishable truth. Such people benefit rulers not only politically but also morally and spiritually, bringing welfare in both this life and the next.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and ideal governance. Here he describes the kind of Brahmin-sages a king should seek in his court—men of learning, character, and dignified speech—whose counsel is auspicious and beneficial.