Shloka 4
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
रामस्तपस्वी ब्रह्मण्यो ब्राह्मणश्न गुरुश्न ते । तस्यावमानं कौरव्य मा सम कार्षी: कथंचन
rāmas tapassvī brahmaṇyo brāhmaṇaś ca guruś ca te | tasyāvamānaṃ kauravya mā sma kārṣīḥ kathaṃcana ||
ਰਾਮ (ਪਰਸ਼ੁਰਾਮ) ਤਪਸਵੀ, ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ-ਨਿਸ਼ਠ ਹੈ; ਉਹ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਵੀ। ਹੇ ਕੌਰਵ੍ਯ! ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਅਪਮਾਨ ਨਾ ਕਰੀਂ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches restraint and humility: one must not dishonor a revered teacher—especially an ascetic and guardian of sacred tradition—because respect for the guru and for dharmic authority is itself a moral duty.
Bhīṣma warns a Kuru prince not to offend Rāma (Paraśurāma), emphasizing his spiritual power and his status as the prince’s guru, thereby urging careful, respectful conduct in a tense situation.