Shloka 16

Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra

Devanagari script

गुरुभ्य आसन देयं कर्तव्यं चाभिवादनम्‌ । गुरूनभ्यर्च्य युज्यन्ते आयुषा यशसा श्रिया

Transliteration

gurubhya āsanaṃ deyaṃ kartavyaṃ cābhivādanam | gurūn abhyarcya yujyante āyuṣā yaśasā śriyā ||

Translation

ビーシュマは教える。「師や年長者には座を差し出し、敬礼して挨拶せよ。かかるグル（師）を敬い供養することによって、人は長寿と名声と繁栄とを備える。」

Word by Word

• गुरुभ्यः: to the teachers/elders
• गुरुभ्यः: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Plural

• आसनम्: a seat
• आसनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• देयम्: should be given
• देयम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive), Passive sense (obligation), Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive), Active sense (obligation), Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अभिवादनम्: salutation/bowing
• अभिवादनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिवादन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• गुरून्: teachers/elders
• गुरून्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (अभि + अर्च्)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), ल्यप्, having worshipped

• युज्यन्ते: are endowed/attain
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज्
• Form: Lat (Present), Ātmanepada, Third, Plural

• आयुषा: with long life
• आयुषा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• यशसा: with fame
• यशसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• श्रिया: with prosperity/fortune
• श्रिया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• guru (teachers/elders)
• Śrī (prosperity/fortune)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.