Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 33
यथा पाण्डो: सुता राज॑स्तथैव तव धर्मत: । तान् पालय स्थितो धर्मे गुरुशुश्रूषणे रतान्
yathā pāṇḍoḥ sutā rājas tathaiva tava dharmataḥ | tān pālaya sthito dharme guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratān |
Bhishma said: “O king, just as they are the sons of Pāṇḍu, so too—by the standard of dharma—they are yours as well. Ever devoted to serving their elders and teachers, they deserve your protection. Therefore, remaining firmly established in righteousness, care for them as you would your own sons.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that dharma expands kinship and responsibility: a righteous king should regard the Pāṇḍavas as his own in moral duty and protect them, especially since they are devoted to serving elders and teachers.
Bhīṣma addresses a king with ethical counsel, urging him to uphold dharma by fostering and safeguarding the Pāṇḍavas as if they were his own sons, emphasizing their good conduct and devotion to elders.