Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
गुरुभ्य आसन देयं कर्तव्यं चाभिवादनम् । गुरूनभ्यर्च्य युज्यन्ते आयुषा यशसा श्रिया
gurubhya āsanaṃ deyaṃ kartavyaṃ cābhivādanam | gurūn abhyarcya yujyante āyuṣā yaśasā śriyā ||
Bhishma berkata: Kepada para guru hendaknya diberikan tempat duduk dan disampaikan salam penghormatan. Dengan memuliakan dan memuja para guru, seseorang dianugerahi umur panjang, nama baik, dan kemakmuran.
भीष्म उवाच
Reverence to gurus and elders—expressed through offering a seat, salutations, and honoring worship—is a dharmic duty that brings tangible fruits: longevity, good reputation, and prosperity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on proper conduct (sadācāra), highlighting respectful behavior toward teachers and elders as a foundational social and ethical practice.