Shloka 25
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
त्वंकारं नामधेयं च ज्येष्ठानां परिवर्जयेत् । अवराणां समानानामुभयेषां न दुष्यति,अपनेसे बड़ोंका नाम लेकर या तू कहकर न पुकारे, जो अपनेसे छोटे या समवयस्क हों, उनके लिये वैसा करना दोषकी बात नहीं है
tvaṃkāraṃ nāmadheyaṃ ca jyeṣṭhānāṃ parivarjayet | avarāṇāṃ samānānām ubhayeṣāṃ na duṣyati ||
Bhīṣma said: One should avoid addressing elders either by their personal name or with the familiar ‘you’ (tvaṃ). In the case of those younger than oneself or of the same age, using such forms is not considered a fault for either party. The teaching emphasizes respectful speech as a practical expression of dharma in social conduct.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Respectful speech is part of dharma: do not address elders by name or with overly familiar ‘tvaṃ’; with juniors or equals, such address is not inherently blameworthy.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhīṣma lays down a rule of etiquette and moral discipline regarding how one should speak to elders, equals, and juniors.