Shloka 23
Śakra–Śambara Saṃvāda: Brāhmaṇa-sevā, Anasūyā, and Vāg-bala (शक्रशम्बरसंवादः)
वृषलत्वं परिगता ब्राह्मणानामदर्शनात् । श्रेयान् पराजयस्तेभ्यो न जयो जयतां वर
vṛṣalatvaṁ parigatā brāhmaṇānām adarśanāt | śreyān parājayas tebhyo na jayo jayatāṁ vara ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Parce qu’ils avaient perdu la vue et la direction des Brāhmaṇas, ils tombèrent dans l’état de vṛṣalas. Ô le meilleur des vainqueurs, il vaut mieux accepter la défaite de la main des Brāhmaṇas ; la victoire sur eux n’est pas une victoire véritablement bonne.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler’s welfare depends on honoring and remaining connected to Brāhmaṇas (as custodians of sacred learning and dharma). Losing their guidance leads to moral and social decline; therefore, it is wiser to yield to them than to seek triumph over them.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma is advising the king on dharma and proper conduct. Here he warns that communities and rulers who become estranged from Brāhmaṇas fall into degradation, and he counsels reverence and restraint rather than confrontation.