Shloka 28
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
प्रभवन् पृच्छते यो हि सम्मानयति वा पुन: । नूनं जनमदुष्टात्मा पण्डिताख्यां स गच्छति
prabhavan pṛcchate yo hi sammānayati vā punaḥ | nūnaṃ janam aduṣṭātmā paṇḍitākhyāṃ sa gacchati ||
महेश्वर म्हणाले—जो समर्थ किंवा प्रतिष्ठित असूनही नम्रतेने विचारतो, किंवा पुन्हा इतरांचा सन्मान करतो, तो निश्चयच दुष्टवृत्तीचा नसतो; तो पंडित म्हणून कीर्ती व स्थान मिळवतो।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True learning is marked by humility and respect: even the capable person who still inquires and honors others is of pure disposition and gains the recognized status of a paṇḍita (learned person).
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused discourse, Maheśvara states a criterion for genuine wisdom: the virtuous character shown through respectful conduct and willingness to ask questions.