Shloka 5
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
न चान्यदिह कर्तव्यं किज्चिदूर्ध्व यथाविधि । गुप्तो गोपायते ब्रह्मा श्रेयो वस्तेन शोभनम्
bhīṣma uvāca | na cānyad iha kartavyaṃ kiñcid ūrdhvaṃ yathāvidhi | gupto gopāyate brahmā śreyo vastena śobhanam ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ici, il n’y a rien d’autre à accomplir au-delà de ce qui est dûment prescrit. Lorsqu’il est protégé, le Brahmane (brahma) protège à son tour celui qui le protège ; c’est là que réside ce qui est véritablement faste et excellent. Ainsi, pour ceux qui suivent l’ordre établi, le bien suprême vient de la sauvegarde et du service rendus aux Brahmanes, et du maintien de son propre devoir.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not seek duties beyond what is scripturally prescribed; the highest welfare (śreyas) comes from performing one’s ordained dharma and especially from protecting and honoring the Brahmin/sacred knowledge, which is said to reciprocally protect the protector.
Bhishma continues his instruction on righteous conduct, emphasizing a social-ethical principle: uphold prescribed duties and safeguard the Brahmin order (and by extension sacred learning), presenting it as a source of mutual protection and ultimate well-being.