Shloka 19
येषां वृद्धश्न बालश्न सर्व: सम्मानमरहति । तपोविद्याविशेषात्तु मानयन्ति परस्परम्
yeṣāṁ vṛddhaśna bālaśna sarvaḥ sammānam arhati | tapovidyāviśeṣāt tu mānayanti parasparam ||
Bhīṣma dit : Parmi les brahmanes, qu’on soit âgé ou encore enfant, chacun est digne d’honneur. Pourtant, au sein de leur communauté, ils se rendent un respect particulier selon l’excellence en austérité et en savoir—reconnaissant la discipline spirituelle et la connaissance comme les véritables mesures de la distinction.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Everyone within the Brahmin community is intrinsically worthy of respect regardless of age; nevertheless, special esteem is accorded based on demonstrable excellence in tapas (discipline/austerity) and vidyā (learning), making virtue and knowledge the ethical criteria for higher honor.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he explains norms of social reverence: Brahmins should be honored universally, and among themselves they mutually recognize and honor greater spiritual discipline and learning.