Shloka 183
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
नास्मि वर्णोत्तमा जात्या न वैश्या नावरा तथा । तव राजन् सवर्णास्मि शुद्धयोनिरविप्लुता
bhīṣma uvāca | nāsmi varṇottamā jātyā na vaiśyā nāvarā tathā | tava rājan savarṇāsmi śuddhayonir aviplutā ||
ରାଜନ! ଜନ୍ମତଃ ମୁଁ ନ ‘ଉତ୍ତମ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣ’ର, ନ ବୈଶ୍ୟା, ନ କୌଣସି ନିମ୍ନ ଶ୍ରେଣୀର। ମୁଁ ତୁମ ସମବର୍ଣ୍ଣ—କ୍ଷତ୍ରିୟା। ମୋର ବଂଶଧାରା ଶୁଦ୍ଧ ଓ ଅବିଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନ; ମୁଁ ମୋର ବ୍ରହ୍ମଚର୍ୟ-ବ୍ରତକୁ ଅବିଚଳ ଭାବେ ରକ୍ଷା କରିଛି।
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma asserts ethical and social identity through varṇa, lineage, and personal discipline: he rejects misclassification and emphasizes that integrity of conduct (especially steadfastness in vows) and acknowledged social duty-frame matter in discussions of dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhishma clarifies his own status—stating he is a Kshatriya like the king, of pure lineage, and unwavering in his vow—within a broader discourse on dharma, social order, and rightful conduct.