Shloka 41
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
तस्य राजन् फल विद्धि स्वलोके स्थानमर्चितम् | न च पश्येत नरकं गुरुशुश्रूषया55त्मवान्
tasya rājan phala viddhi svaloke sthānam arcitam | na ca paśyet narakaṁ guruśuśrūṣayātmavān ||
Bhishma said: O King, know the fruit of such conduct: in the heavenly world one attains an honored and revered station. And the self-controlled man, by devoted service to his elders and teachers, never comes to behold hell.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Devoted service to elders and teachers (guruśuśrūṣā), coupled with self-control, yields exalted honor in heaven and protects one from falling into hell—highlighting reverence and obedience as central duties within dharma.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs King Yudhishthira on righteous conduct. Here he states the spiritual outcome of serving one’s gurus/elders: an honored place in the heavenly realm and freedom from the experience of hell.