Shloka 26
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
व्यवसायस्तयो: शीघ्रमुभयोरेव विद्यते । हन्युः क्रुद्धा महाराज ब्राह्मणा ये तपस्विन:
vyavasāyas tayoḥ śīghram ubhayor eva vidyate | hanyuḥ kruddhā mahārāja brāhmaṇā ye tapasvinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “O King, in both cases the result of their exertion manifests quickly. Yet know this: when ascetic Brāhmaṇas become enraged, they can, by the power of their austerities, strike down even a mighty Kṣatriya. Thus the swift fruit of tapas and the swift fruit of royal prowess are alike, but the spiritual force of disciplined austerity can overmaster martial brilliance when provoked.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Both martial prowess and ascetic austerity yield swift results, but tapas—when embodied by disciplined Brāhmaṇas—can surpass physical power; therefore rulers should honor spiritual authority and avoid provoking the righteous.
Bhīṣma instructs the king on the relative potency of Kṣatriya energy and Brāhmaṇa austerity, warning that enraged ascetics can destroy even powerful warriors through the force generated by their tapas.