Shloka 19
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
ब्राह्मणानां परिभवादसुरा: सलिलेशया: । ब्राह्मणानां प्रसादाच्च देवा: स्वर्गनिवासिन:
brāhmaṇānāṃ paribhavād asurāḥ salileśayāḥ | brāhmaṇānāṃ prasādāc ca devāḥ svarganivāsinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Parce que les brāhmaṇas furent outragés, les Asuras furent contraints de demeurer dans les eaux (de l’océan). Et par la faveur et la bienveillante approbation des brāhmaṇas, les Devas résident au ciel. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that honoring the Brāhmaṇas—figures representing Vedic learning, ritual authority, and moral restraint—supports dharma and prosperity, while insulting them leads to ruin. It frames social-ethical conduct as having cosmic consequences: grace elevates (Devas in heaven), contempt degrades (Asuras confined to the waters).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction (Anuśāsana Parva), he explains to Yudhiṣṭhira the power of Brāhmaṇas’ approval or displeasure. As an illustrative claim, he states that the Asuras became ocean-dwellers due to their disrespect toward Brāhmaṇas, whereas the Devas gained heavenly residence through Brāhmaṇas’ favor.