Shloka 18
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
ब्रह्मण्य इति मामाहुस्तया वाचास्मि तोषित: । एतदेव पवित्रेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य: परमं स्मृतम्
brahmaṇya iti mām āhus tayā vācāsmi toṣitaḥ | etad eva pavitrebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ paramaṃ smṛtam |
Bhishma said: “They call me ‘devoted to the Brahmins’; by those words I am deeply gratified. Indeed, this alone is remembered as the highest of all purifying acts—service to Brahmins.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma presents service and reverence toward Brahmins as a supreme purifier: among all acts considered holy, supporting and serving those who preserve Vedic learning and dharma is remembered as the highest.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he reflects on being praised as ‘brahmaṇya’ (devoted to Brahmins). He expresses satisfaction at this reputation and uses it to emphasize the ethical priority of honoring and serving Brahmins.