Shloka 346
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
आशीविषानिव क्रुद्धांस्तानुपाचरत द्विजान् | ब्राह्मण स्वभावत: कोमल
āśīviṣān iva kruddhāṁs tān upācarata dvijān | brāhmaṇāḥ svabhāvataḥ komalāḥ satyavādinaḥ satya-dharma-pālanāś ca bhavanti, kintu yadā te kupitā bhavanti tadā viṣaile sarpa-sadṛśā bhayaṅkarā bhavanti | ataḥ tvaṁ sadā brāhmaṇānāṁ sevāṁ kurv iti |
Bhishma said: “Serve those twice-born Brahmins as you would treat venomous serpents when they are enraged. By nature Brahmins are gentle, devoted to truth, and steadfast in the observance of truthful dharma; but when provoked to anger they become terrifying, like poisonous snakes. Therefore, always continue in service and respectful conduct toward Brahmins.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain consistent respect and service toward Brahmins: though naturally gentle and committed to truth, when angered they can become dangerously powerful—so one should avoid provoking them and uphold proper conduct.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is giving ethical and social guidance, warning about the consequences of offending Brahmins and urging continual service and respectful behavior toward them.