Shloka 16
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
सन्ति चाशीविषसमा: सन्ति मन्दास्तथापरे । विविधानीह वृत्तानि ब्राह्मणानां युधिष्ठिर
santi cāśīviṣasamāḥ santi mandās tathāpare | vividhānīha vṛttāni brāhmaṇānāṃ yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Yudhiṣṭhira, di antara para brāhmaṇa ada yang menakutkan laksana ular berbisa, dan ada pula yang lembut serta berwatak tenang. Di dunia ini, tabiat dan tata laku para brāhmaṇa beraneka ragam.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes discernment: one should not assume uniform virtue based solely on the label “brāhmaṇa.” People within the same social-religious category can differ greatly in temperament and conduct—some harmful like venomous snakes, others gentle—so ethical judgment must be based on behavior and character.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he notes the diversity among brāhmaṇas, preparing Yudhiṣṭhira to evaluate individuals by their actions rather than by mere status.