अध्याय ३२३ — श्वेतद्वीपगमनम्, यज्ञभाग-विवादः, एकान्तिभक्त्या नारायणदर्शन-नियमः (Śvetadvīpa Journey; Dispute over Sacrificial Share; Rule of Nārāyaṇa-vision through Single-minded Devotion)
पितामह! आप मुझे शुकदेवजीका माहात्म्य, आत्मयोग और विज्ञान यथार्थ रीतिसे क्रमश: बताइये ।।
Bhīṣma uvāca: Na hāyanaiḥ na palitaiḥ na vittaiḥ na ca bandhubhiḥ | Ṛṣayaḥ cakrire dharmaṃ yo ’nūcānaḥ sa no mahān ||
ビーシュマは言った。「人は、年を重ねたこと、白髪になったこと、富を得たこと、あるいは親族や同盟者の勢力が強いことだけで『偉大』となるのではない。聖仙たちは我らの間にこのダルマの規範を定めた――真に学識あり、ヴェーダを誦し、かつ教え得る者、その者のみが偉大と見なされるべきである。」
भीष्म उवाच
True greatness is measured by learning and the capacity to transmit sacred knowledge (Vedic study/teaching), not by external markers like age, grey hair, wealth, or family power.
In the Shanti Parva dialogue, Bhishma instructs the king by stating a standard set by the sages: social eminence should rest on genuine learning and dharmic qualification rather than worldly status.