Shloka 60
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
सर्वे वेदव्रतपरा: सर्वे चैव बहुश्रुता: । सर्वे सम्मतमैश्चर्यमी श्वरा: प्रतिपेदिरे,सभी वेदोक्त व्रतको धारण करनेवाले और बहुश्रुत विद्वान् थे। सभी लोकेश्वर थे और सबने मनोवाज्छित ऐश्वर्य प्राप्त किया था
sarve vedavrataparāḥ sarve caiva bahuśrutāḥ | sarve sammatamaiśvaryam īśvarāḥ pratipedire ||
Bhishma disse: “Todos eles eram devotados aos votos e disciplinas védicas, e todos eram amplamente versados no saber sagrado. Todos eram reconhecidos como senhores entre os homens, e cada um alcançou a prosperidade e a autoridade —aisvarya— tidas por estimáveis e desejáveis.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links two foundations of dharma—Vedic observance (vrata) and deep learning (bahuśruta)—with socially recognized excellence and legitimate prosperity (aiśvarya), implying that disciplined conduct and knowledge support rightful authority and well-being.
Bhishma is describing a group of exemplary persons (not named in this verse) and praising their qualifications: they were devoted to Vedic vows, learned, regarded as lords, and they attained esteemed sovereignty/prosperity.