Shloka 24
तपस्विनां धर्मवतां विदुषां चोपसेवनात् । प्राप्स्यसे विपुलां बुद्धि तथा श्रेयोडभिपत्स्यसे,राजन! तपस्वी, धर्मात्मा एवं विद्वानोंकी सेवा करनेसे तुम्हें विशाल बुद्धि प्राप्त होगी, जिससे तुम कल्याणके भागी हो सकोगे
tapasvināṁ dharmavatāṁ viduṣāṁ copasevanāt | prāpsyase vipulāṁ buddhiṁ tathā śreyo 'bhipatsyase, rājan ||
Bhishma said: By attending upon and serving ascetics, the righteous, and the learned, you will gain a broad and discerning intellect; and with that, O king, you will attain what is truly beneficial and auspicious for your life.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that respectful association and service (upasevā) to ascetics, righteous people, and the learned is a direct means to cultivate expansive discernment (vipulā buddhi), which in turn leads one to śreyas—true welfare and lasting good.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma continues his counsel on right conduct and governance, emphasizing that a ruler’s clarity and moral success arise from seeking guidance through humble service to spiritually disciplined, dharmic, and scholarly elders.