Shloka 183
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
नास्मि वर्णोत्तमा जात्या न वैश्या नावरा तथा । तव राजन् सवर्णास्मि शुद्धयोनिरविप्लुता
bhīṣma uvāca | nāsmi varṇottamā jātyā na vaiśyā nāvarā tathā | tava rājan savarṇāsmi śuddhayonir aviplutā ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王よ、出生によって私は『最上』のカーストでもなく、ヴァイシャでもなく、また下位の身分でもない。私は汝と同じヴァルナ、すなわちクシャトリヤである。わが血統は清らかで断絶なく、梵行（ブラフマチャリヤ）の誓いも一度たりとも破らず守り通した。」
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma asserts ethical and social identity through varṇa, lineage, and personal discipline: he rejects misclassification and emphasizes that integrity of conduct (especially steadfastness in vows) and acknowledged social duty-frame matter in discussions of dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma clarifies his own status—stating he is a Kshatriya like the king, of pure lineage, and unwavering in his vow—within a broader discourse on dharma, social order, and rightful conduct.