Shloka 15
उपवासविधि-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the Discipline of Fasting
दश चैव पितृन् माता सर्वा वा पृथिवीमपि । गौरवेणाभिभवति नास्ति मातृसमो गुरु:,गौरवमें दस आचार्योंसे बढ़कर उपाध्याय, दस उपाध्यायोंसे बढ़कर पिता और दस पिताओंसे बढ़कर माता है। माता अपने गौरवसे समूची पृथ्वीको भी तिरस्कृत कर देती है। अतः माताके समान दूसरा कोई गुरु नहीं है
daśa caiva pitṝn mātā sarvā vā pṛthivīm api | gauraveṇābhibhavati nāsti mātṛ-samo guruḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: A mother surpasses even ten fathers; indeed, by the weight of her dignity and worth she eclipses even the whole earth. Therefore, there is no teacher equal to one’s mother. The verse elevates maternal reverence as a central ethical duty, presenting gratitude and service to the mother as a supreme form of dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the mother holds the highest claim to reverence and gratitude—surpassing even multiple paternal authorities—and is therefore the foremost 'guru' in one’s moral life.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and right conduct; here he emphasizes the hierarchy of respect within family and society, placing the mother at the pinnacle.