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Shloka 21

स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva

Anuśāsana-parva 38

न ब्राह्मणविरोधेन शक्‍या शास्तुं वसुन्धरा । ब्राह्मणा हि महात्मानो देवानामपि देवता:,ब्राह्मणोंसे विरोध करके भूमण्डलका राज्य नहीं चलाया जा सकता; क्योंकि महात्मा ब्राह्मण देवताओंके भी देवता हैं

na brāhmaṇa-virodhena śakyā śāstuṁ vasundharā | brāhmaṇā hi mahātmāno devānām api devatāḥ ||

Bhīṣma disse: A terra não pode ser governada retamente por meio de hostilidade contra os brāhmaṇas. Pois os brāhmaṇas de grande alma são reverenciados como divinos até mesmo entre os deuses; assim, opor-se a eles mina os fundamentos morais e espirituais sobre os quais se sustenta a realeza.

not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
ब्राह्मण-विरोधेनby opposition to Brahmins
ब्राह्मण-विरोधेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण-विरोध
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
शक्याःpossible/able
शक्याः:
TypeAdjective
Rootशक्य
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
शास्तुम्to rule/govern
शास्तुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootशास्
FormInfinitive
वसुन्धराthe earth
वसुन्धरा:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवसुन्धरा
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
ब्राह्मणाःBrahmins
ब्राह्मणाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
हिindeed/for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
महात्मानःgreat-souled
महात्मानः:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहात्मन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
देवानाम्of the gods
देवानाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootदेव
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
देवताःdeities
देवताः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदेवता
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
B
Brāhmaṇas
V
Vasundharā (Earth)
D
Devas (gods)

Educational Q&A

Stable and righteous governance depends on honoring the Brahmins—seen as guardians of sacred knowledge and moral order—so antagonizing them erodes the legitimacy and ethical basis of kingship.

In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma advises the listener on principles of rule, emphasizing that a king cannot successfully administer the realm if he sets himself against Brahmins, who are portrayed as supremely venerable.