Shloka 28
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
प्रभवन् पृच्छते यो हि सम्मानयति वा पुन: । नूनं जनमदुष्टात्मा पण्डिताख्यां स गच्छति
prabhavan pṛcchate yo hi sammānayati vā punaḥ | nūnaṃ janam aduṣṭātmā paṇḍitākhyāṃ sa gacchati ||
Maheshvara bersabda: “Siapa pun yang, meski mampu atau terpandang, tetap bertanya dengan rendah hati, atau kembali menghormati orang lain—orang itu sungguh bukan berhati jahat. Ia meraih nama dan kedudukan sebagai orang berilmu.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True learning is marked by humility and respect: even the capable person who still inquires and honors others is of pure disposition and gains the recognized status of a paṇḍita (learned person).
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused discourse, Maheśvara states a criterion for genuine wisdom: the virtuous character shown through respectful conduct and willingness to ask questions.