Shloka 31
पात्रलक्षण-परिक्षा (Pātra-Lakṣaṇa Parīkṣā) — Criteria for a Worthy Recipient
एतां श्रुत्वोपमां पार्थ प्रयतो ब्राह्मणर्षभान् । सतत पूजयेथास्त्वं तत: श्रेयोडभिपत्स्यसे
etāṁ śrutvopamāṁ pārtha prayato brāhmaṇarṣabhān | satataṁ pūjayethās tvaṁ tataḥ śreyo 'bhipatsyase, kuntīnandana ||
Disse Bhishma: “Ó Pārtha, tendo ouvido este ensinamento em forma de exemplo, deves, com pureza de intenção e disciplina, honrar continuamente os mais eminentes dos brâmanes. Fazendo assim, ó filho de Kuntī, alcançarás o que é verdadeiramente auspicioso e benéfico.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that continual, sincere honoring of exemplary Brahmins—done with self-restraint and purity—leads to śreyas, i.e., true welfare and auspicious spiritual benefit.
Bhishma, instructing Arjuna in Anushasana Parva, concludes an illustrative example (upamā/dṛṣṭānta) by urging Arjuna to maintain a steady practice of reverence toward worthy Brahmins as part of righteous conduct.