Shloka 20
अविद्वान ब्राह्माणो देव: पात्र वै पावनं महत् । विद्वान् भूयस्तरो देव: पूर्णमसागरसंनिभ:
avidvān brāhmaṇo devaḥ pātraṃ vai pāvanaṃ mahat | vidvān bhūyastaro devaḥ pūrṇam asāgara-saṃnibhaḥ ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಅವಿದ್ಯಾವಂತ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣನೂ ದೇವತೆಯಂತೆ ಗಣ್ಯನಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಮಹಾಪಾವನಕರ ಪಾತ್ರವೆಂದು ಪೂಜ್ಯನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಂತ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಇನ್ನೇನು ಹೇಳಬೇಕು? ಅವನು ಇನ್ನೂ ಮಹಾದೇವತೆಯಂತೆ—ಪೂರ್ಣ ಮಹಾಸಾಗರದಂತೆ ಸದುಗುಣಸಂಪನ್ನನು.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a hierarchy of reverence grounded in dharma: the Brahmin, by role and sanctifying function, is treated as a purifying and god-like recipient even if unlearned; learning and wisdom elevate that status further, making the learned Brahmin supremely worthy—vast and complete in virtues like a full ocean.
In Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising on proper honor and valuation of persons. Here he emphasizes the sanctity and social-religious worth of Brahmins, contrasting the unlearned with the learned to underscore how knowledge magnifies merit and reverence.