Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 66
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
त्रैविद्यो ब्राह्मणो विद्वानू न चाध्ययनजीवक: । त्रिकर्मा त्रिपरिक्रान्तो मैत्र एष स्मृतो द्विज:
traividyo brāhmaṇo vidvān na cādhyayanajīvakaḥ | trikarmā triparikrānto maitra eṣa smṛto dvijaḥ ||
Mahādeva said: A man is truly remembered as a brāhmaṇa—indeed, a twice-born—when he is learned in the three Vedas, does not make his livelihood by teaching or recitation, constantly performs the three sacred duties (sacrifice, charity, and righteous conduct), has crossed beyond the three inner foes (desire, anger, and greed), and maintains a spirit of friendliness toward all beings.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True brahminhood is characterized by Vedic learning joined to integrity: not commercializing sacred study, performing key dharmic duties (sacrifice, charity, righteous conduct), conquering desire-anger-greed, and cultivating friendliness toward all beings.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Mahādeva speaks a normative definition of a brāhmaṇa, shifting emphasis from mere social label to ethical and spiritual qualifications.