Shloka 4
पूर्व ये चापरे तत्र समेता ब्राह्मणर्षभा: । सर्वान् सम्पूज्य शिरसा राजानं सोडब्रवीद् द्विज:,भीष्मजीने कहा--प्रभो! तब “बहुत अच्छा” कहकर ब्राह्मणने धर्म, यम, काल, मृत्यु और स्वर्ग--इन सभी पूजनीय देवताओंका पूजन किया। वहाँ पहलेसे जो ब्राह्मण मौजूद थे और दूसरे भी जो श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मण वहाँ पधारे थे, उन सबके चरणोंमें सिर झुकाकर सबकी यथोचित पूजा करके ब्राह्मणने राजासे कहा--
pūrve ye cāpare tatra sametā brāhmaṇarṣabhāḥ | sarvān sampūjya śirasā rājānaṃ so 'bravīd dvijaḥ ||
Bhishma said: There, both the earlier-arrived and the later-arrived foremost Brahmins had assembled. Having bowed his head and duly honored them all, the Brahmin then addressed the king—framing his words in the spirit of reverence and dharma, where proper respect to the worthy precedes counsel to rulers.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before offering counsel—especially to a ruler—one should first honor those worthy of respect. The verse models dharmic conduct: humility, proper etiquette, and recognition of spiritual authority as the foundation for ethical speech and governance.
In an assembly where eminent Brahmins are gathered, a Brahmin first bows and pays due respects to all present. After completing these courtesies, he proceeds to speak to the king, indicating that the forthcoming address is framed within established norms of reverence and dharma.