Shloka 9
Pūjya-namaskārya-prakaraṇa
On Those Worthy of Honor and Salutation
पूजयन् सुखमाप्रोति दुःखमाप्रोत्यपूजयन् । ब्राह्मण: सर्वभूतानां योगक्षेमसमर्पिता,जो ब्राह्मणका आदर करता है वह सुख पाता है, और जो अनादर करता है वह दुःख पाता है। ब्राह्मण समस्त प्राणियोंको योगक्षेमकी प्राप्ति करानेवाला है
śakra uvāca | pūjayan sukham āpnoti duḥkham āpnoty apūjayan | brāhmaṇaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ yogakṣema-samarpitaḥ ||
Śakra said: “One who honors (the Brāhmaṇa) attains happiness; one who does not honor him attains sorrow. For the Brāhmaṇa is devoted to securing yoga and kṣema—welfare and protection—for all living beings.”
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a dharmic principle of reciprocity: honoring worthy spiritual custodians (here, the Brāhmaṇa) brings happiness, while disrespect brings suffering, because such persons are portrayed as dedicated to the welfare and security (yoga-kṣema) of all beings.
Śakra (Indra) is speaking and underscores the ethical and social importance of honoring Brāhmaṇas, presenting them as benefactors who uphold and promote the well-being of living beings; the statement functions as moral instruction within Anuśāsana Parva’s discourse on conduct.