Shloka 27
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
शिष्यस्नेहेन भगवंस्त्वं मां रक्षितुमर्हसि । एकशेष: कृतो वंशो मम तै: पापकर्मभि:
śiṣyasnehena bhagavaṁs tvaṁ māṁ rakṣitum arhasi | ekaśeṣaḥ kṛto vaṁśo mama taiḥ pāpakarmabhiḥ ||
शिष्यस्नेहेन भगवन् त्वं मां रक्षितुमर्हसि । एकशेषः कृतो वंशो मम तैः पापकर्मभिः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical duty embedded in the guru–śiṣya relationship: a teacher’s spontaneous affection (śiṣyasneha) implies responsibility to protect and guide the disciple, especially when the disciple is vulnerable and without support.
Bhishma addresses a revered teacher-figure, identifying himself as the disciple and pleading for protection. He explains the urgency by stating that wrongdoers have devastated his family line, leaving him as the sole remaining member.