Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
अमन्यत स धर्मात्मा वसिष्ठ पितरं मुनि: । जन्मप्रभृति तस्मिंस्तु पितरीवान्ववर्तत,धर्मात्मा पराशर मुनि वसिष्ठको ही अपना पिता मानते थे और जन्मसे ही उनके प्रति पितृभाव रखते थे
amanyata sa dharmātmā vasiṣṭha-pitaraṃ muniḥ | janma-prabhṛti tasmiṃs tu pitarīva anvavartata ||
The righteous sage regarded Vasiṣṭha as his father. From the time of his birth, he conducted himself toward him exactly as one would toward a father—upholding the duties of filial reverence and obedience.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is shown through sustained conduct: honoring a worthy elder as a father and living with consistent filial reverence from the very beginning of life.
The Gandharva describes Parāśara’s attitude toward Vasiṣṭha: Parāśara accepts Vasiṣṭha as his father and, from birth onward, behaves toward him with the devotion and obedience due to a parent.