Shloka 18
Adhyāya 166: Kṛtaghna-doṣa (कृतघ्नदोषः) — the fault of ingratitude and the limits of expiation
न ब्राह्मणो निवेदेत किंचिद् राजनि वेदवित् । स्ववीर्याद् राजवीर्याच्च स्ववीर्य बलवत्तरम्,वेदज्ञ ब्राह्यणको चाहिये कि वह राजाके निकट अपनी आवश्यकता निवेदन न करे; क्योंकि ब्राह्मणकी अपनी शक्ति तथा राजाकी शक्तिमेंसे उसकी अपनी ही शक्ति प्रबल है
na brāhmaṇo nivedet kiñcid rājani vedavit | svavīryād rājavīryāc ca svavīryaṃ balavattaram ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Um brâmane que verdadeiramente conhece o Veda não deve pedir nada a um rei. Pois, entre o poder próprio do brâmane e o poder do rei, a força do brâmane é maior—enraizada na disciplina espiritual, no saber e na autoridade interior, e não na força mundana.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A Veda-knowing Brahmin should maintain dignity and independence, not seeking favors from kings; spiritual and moral power (rooted in knowledge and discipline) is presented as superior to mere political or military power.
In the Śānti Parva’s dharma-instruction, Bhīṣma advises on proper conduct and social-ethical order, contrasting the Brahmin’s inner authority with the king’s external authority and urging restraint in approaching royal patronage.