Shloka 22
मातापितृगुरुपूजा-प्रशंसा
Praise of Venerating Mother, Father, and Teacher
यश्नचावृणोत्यवितथेन कर्मणा ऋतं ब्रुवन्ननृतं सम्प्रयच्छन् । त॑ं वै मन््येत पितरं मातरं च तस्मै न द्रहोत् कृतमस्य जानन्,जो सत्य कर्म (के द्वारा यथार्थ उपदेश) के द्वारा पुत्र या शिष्यको कवचकी भाँति ढक लेता है, सत्यस्वरूप वेदका उपदेश देता और असत्यकी रोक-थाम करता है, उस गुरुको ही पिता और माता समझे और उसके उपकारको जानकर कभी उससे द्रोह न करे
yaś ca āvṛṇoty avitathena karmaṇā ṛtaṁ bruvan anṛtaṁ samprayacchan | taṁ vai manyeta pitaraṁ mātaraṁ ca tasmai na drohot kṛtam asya jānan ||
Bhishma said: One who, through unfailing right conduct, shields (a pupil) as with armor; who proclaims ṛta—the true, Vedic order—and restrains untruth—such a teacher should be regarded as both father and mother. Knowing the benefit received from him, one should never commit treachery against that guru.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true guru protects the student through impeccable conduct, teaches ṛta (truth/Vedic order), and restrains falsehood; therefore the guru deserves the reverence due to both parents, and one must never betray him, remembering his benefaction.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising on ethical duties and proper relationships, here emphasizing the moral status of the guru and the obligation of gratitude and non-treachery toward one’s teacher.