Shloka 20
Ānṛśaṃsya, Amātya-Guṇa, and Reconciliatory Counsel (आनृशंस्य–अमात्यगुण–संधि-उपदेशः)
इत्युक्त: प्रत्युवाचेदं वचन ब्राह्मणर्षभम् । प्रतिपूज्याभिसत्कृत्य पूजाहमनुमान्य च
ity uktaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ vacanaṃ brāhmaṇarṣabham | pratipūjyābhisatkṛtya pūjāham anumānya ca ||
Bhishma said: Thus addressed, the king replied with these words to that foremost of Brahmins. Having first honored him, received him with due respect, and assented to the reverence owed to him, the king then spoke—showing that righteous counsel is to be met not with pride, but with humility, hospitality, and willing acceptance of dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should receive moral and spiritual counsel with reverence—honoring the wise, showing proper hospitality, and assenting to what is right before speaking or acting. Respectful reception of dharmic instruction is itself a form of righteous conduct.
After a Brahmin-sage has spoken, the king—having been addressed—first performs due honor and respectful welcome, approves the propriety of that reverence, and then begins his reply. Bhishma narrates this as part of Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance.