Shloka 4
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
अत्र गाथा: पुरागीता: कीर्तयन्ति पुराविद: । सृष्टवा द्विजातीन् धाता हि यथापूर्व समादधत्
atra gāthāḥ purāgītāḥ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ | sṛṣṭvā dvijātīn dhātā hi yathāpūrva samādadhat ||
Bhīṣma said: “Here the knowers of ancient lore recount some old verses sung in former times. Having created the twice-born orders, the Creator (Dhātṛ) established them as before, instructing them: ‘For you there is no duty other than disciplined observance of your own svadharma and service to the Brāhmaṇas. When the Brāhmaṇa is protected, he in turn protects his protector; therefore, through service to the Brāhmaṇas, your highest welfare is secured.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames social-ethical order as divinely instituted: the twice-born are to uphold their own prescribed duties with discipline and to support (serve/protect) brāhmaṇas, because safeguarding the custodians of sacred knowledge is presented as a source of reciprocal protection and ultimate welfare.
Bhīṣma introduces an authoritative citation: ancient experts are said to recite old gāthās. These verses describe the Creator establishing the traditional order of the twice-born and giving them instruction about their obligations, setting up a didactic passage on duty and social responsibility.