Shloka 18
Atithi’s Direction to the Nāga-sage Padma at Naimiṣa (अतिथ्युपदेशः—नैमिषे पद्मनागोपाख्यानप्रस्तावः)
जैसे छींका दूध, दही आदिको धारण करता है, उसी प्रकार ब्राह्मणोंकी बुद्धि, वाक्य, कर्म, श्रद्धा, तप और वचनामृत पृथ्वी और स्वर्गको धारण करते हैं ।।
arjuna uvāca | yathā chīṅkā dugdha-dadhi-ādikaṃ dhārayati tathā brāhmaṇānāṃ buddhiḥ vāk karma śraddhā tapaḥ ca vacanāmṛtaṃ ca pṛthivīṃ svargaṃ ca dhārayanti || nāsti satyāt paro dharmo nāsti mātṛ-samo guruḥ | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ paraṃ nāsti pretya ceha ca bhūtaye ||
Sebagaimana bejana menampung susu, dadih, dan sebagainya, demikian pula intelek, tutur, laku, keyakinan, tapa, serta kata-kata laksana nektar dari para Brahmana menopang bumi dan surga. Tiada dharma yang lebih tinggi daripada kebenaran; tiada guru setara ibu; dan tiada yang melebihi para Brahmana dalam membawa kesejahteraan—di dunia ini maupun sesudah mati di alam sana.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truth (satya) is presented as the supreme dharma; the mother is honored as an unsurpassed guru; and Brahmins—through discernment, speech, disciplined conduct, faith, and austerity—are portrayed as sustaining forces for worldly and otherworldly welfare.
In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, Arjuna speaks in praise of ethical foundations and social-spiritual supports, emphasizing truthfulness and reverence for maternal and Brahminical guidance as pillars that uphold order and well-being.