Shloka 5
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
विद्यास्वभिविनीतानां दान्तानां मृदुभाषिणाम् | श्रुतवृत्तोपपन्नानां सदाक्षरविदां सताम्
vidyāsv abhivinītānāṃ dāntānāṃ mṛdubhāṣiṇām | śrutavṛttopapannānāṃ sadākṣaravidāṃ satām ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai anakku, Yudhishthira! Aku menghargai para brahmana yang sungguh terdidik oleh ilmu—rendah hati, mengekang indria, lemah lembut dalam tutur, berbekal pengetahuan śāstra dan laku benar, serta teguh pada Paramātman yang tak binasa. Di balairung, ketika mereka berbicara, kata-kata mereka mengalir laksana kawanan angsa: dalam seperti gemuruh awan, namun jernih, indah, dan membawa pertanda baik. Bila seorang raja berhasrat mendengarkan mereka, nasihat itu mendatangkan kebahagiaan dan kesejahteraan di dunia ini maupun di alam sesudahnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that the most valuable advisors are those whose learning produces humility and discipline: they restrain the senses, speak gently, unite scripture with ethical conduct, and are grounded in imperishable truth. Such people benefit rulers not only politically but also morally and spiritually, bringing welfare in both this life and the next.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and ideal governance. Here he describes the kind of Brahmin-sages a king should seek in his court—men of learning, character, and dignified speech—whose counsel is auspicious and beneficial.