Shloka 19
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
ब्राह्मणानां परिभवादसुरा: सलिलेशया: । ब्राह्मणानां प्रसादाच्च देवा: स्वर्गनिवासिन:,ब्राह्मणोंके तिरस्कारसे ही असुरोंको समुद्रमें रहना पड़ा और ब्राह्मणोंके कृपाप्रसादसे देवता स्वर्गलोकमें निवास करते हैं
brāhmaṇānāṃ paribhavād asurāḥ salileśayāḥ | brāhmaṇānāṃ prasādāc ca devāḥ svarganivāsinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Kerana para brāhmaṇa dihina, para Asura dipaksa tinggal di dalam perairan (lautan). Dan dengan kurnia serta perkenan para brāhmaṇa, para Deva menetap sebagai penghuni syurga.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that honoring the Brāhmaṇas—figures representing Vedic learning, ritual authority, and moral restraint—supports dharma and prosperity, while insulting them leads to ruin. It frames social-ethical conduct as having cosmic consequences: grace elevates (Devas in heaven), contempt degrades (Asuras confined to the waters).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction (Anuśāsana Parva), he explains to Yudhiṣṭhira the power of Brāhmaṇas’ approval or displeasure. As an illustrative claim, he states that the Asuras became ocean-dwellers due to their disrespect toward Brāhmaṇas, whereas the Devas gained heavenly residence through Brāhmaṇas’ favor.