Shloka 15
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
न मे पिता प्रियतरो ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तथाभवत् । न मे पितु: पिता वापि ये चान्येडपि सुहृज्जना:
na me pitā priyataro brāhmaṇebhyas tathābhavat | na me pituḥ pitā vāpi ye cānye ’pi suhṛjjanāḥ |
Bhishma berkata: “Bagiku, ayahku tidak pernah lebih kukasihi daripada para Brahmana; demikian juga datukku (bapa kepada ayahku), dan mana-mana kerabat yang berhajat baik sekali pun, tidak pernah kuanggap lebih kukasihi daripada para Brahmana. Aku sentiasa meletakkan penghormatan kepada Brahmana mengatasi keterikatan peribadi, kerana inilah jalan yang menegakkan dharma.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that reverence for Brahmins and the dharmic order they represent should take precedence over personal affection for even one’s closest relatives; duty and respect for sacred learning are placed above private attachment.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is explaining values and conduct. Here he underscores his own hierarchy of loyalties: he did not consider his father, grandfather, or other well-wishers dearer than Brahmins, presenting this as a principled commitment to dharma.