Shloka 5
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
न चान्यदिह कर्तव्यं किज्चिदूर्ध्व यथाविधि । गुप्तो गोपायते ब्रह्मा श्रेयो वस्तेन शोभनम्
bhīṣma uvāca | na cānyad iha kartavyaṃ kiñcid ūrdhvaṃ yathāvidhi | gupto gopāyate brahmā śreyo vastena śobhanam ||
भीष्म उवाच— इह यथाविधि विहितात् परं किञ्चिदपि कर्तव्यं नास्ति। रक्षितो ब्राह्मणो हि रक्षकं प्रत्युपरक्षति; तस्मिन्नेव श्रेयः शुभं च निहितम्। अतः स्वधर्मपालनं ब्राह्मणसेवा च—एतदेव विधिवत् कर्तव्यं; ताभ्यां परमं कल्याणं भवति।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not seek duties beyond what is scripturally prescribed; the highest welfare (śreyas) comes from performing one’s ordained dharma and especially from protecting and honoring the Brahmin/sacred knowledge, which is said to reciprocally protect the protector.
Bhishma continues his instruction on righteous conduct, emphasizing a social-ethical principle: uphold prescribed duties and safeguard the Brahmin order (and by extension sacred learning), presenting it as a source of mutual protection and ultimate well-being.