Shloka 3
अध्याय ७२ — राजधर्मः: प्रजारक्षण, कर-नीति, दण्ड-नीति, अमात्य-नियोजन
Chapter 72 — Royal Duty: protection of subjects, taxation, punishment, and appointments
धर्मनिष्ठान् श्रुतवतो वेदब्रतसमाहितान् । अर्चयित्वा यजेथास्त्वं गृहे गुणवतो द्विजान्
dharmaniṣṭhān śrutavato vedavratasaṃhitān | arcayitvā yajethāstvaṃ gṛhe guṇavato dvijān ||
Bhīṣma said: “When learned, disciplined Brahmins—steadfast in dharma, well-versed in sacred learning, and devoted to Vedic vows—arrive at your home, you should rise to honor them. Receive them with reverence, bow at their feet, and worship them according to proper rite. Then, with your household priest, carry out all necessary rites and duties. Thus, honoring the virtuous and upholding Vedic order becomes the foundation of righteous domestic life.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A householder should uphold dharma by honoring learned and virtuous Brahmins—rising to receive them, offering respectful worship, and then performing necessary rites with proper priestly guidance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhīṣma advises the listener on proper household etiquette and ritual responsibility when qualified Brahmins arrive, emphasizing reverence and orderly performance of duties.