Shloka 2

Devanagari script

भीष्म उवाच ब्राह्मणानां परिभव सादयेदपि देवता: । ब्राह्मणांस्तु नमस्कृत्य युधिष्ठिर न रिष्यते,भीष्मजीने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! ब्राह्मणोंका अपमान देवताओंको भी दु:खमें डाल सकता है। परंतु यदि ब्राह्मणोंको नमस्कार करके उनके साथ विनयपूर्ण बर्ताव किया जाय तो कभी कोई हानि नहीं होती

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | brāhmaṇānāṁ paribhavaḥ sādayed api devatāḥ | brāhmaṇāṁs tu namaskṛtya yudhiṣṭhira na riṣyate |

Translation

Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Yudhishthira, penghinaan terhadap Brahmana boleh menimpakan dukacita dan kejatuhan bahkan kepada para dewa. Namun sesiapa yang menunduk memberi hormat kepada Brahmana serta melayani mereka dengan takzim dan rendah hati tidak akan ditimpa mudarat.”

Word by Word

भीष्मःBhishma

उवाचsaid

ब्राह्मणानाम्of Brahmins

परिभवःinsult, contempt

सादयेत्may distress / may bring down

अपिeven, also

देवताःthe deities

ब्राह्मणान्Brahmins

तुbut, however

नमस्कृत्यhaving saluted

युधिष्ठिरO Yudhishthira

नnot

रिष्यतेis harmed / perishes

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Yudhishthira

Brahmins (Brāhmaṇas)

Devas (Devatāḥ)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhishma teaches that contempt toward Brahmins is a grave adharma with far-reaching consequences—so serious that it can trouble even the gods—whereas respectful salutation and humble conduct toward them is presented as a safeguard from harm.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising King Yudhishthira on righteous conduct. Here he emphasizes proper behavior toward Brahmins, warning against insulting them and recommending reverence and humility.