Shloka 4
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
येषां बालाश्न वृद्धाश्व पितृपैतामहीं धुरम् । उद्धहन्ति न सीदन्ति तेभ्यो वै स्पृहयाम्यहम्,जिनके कुलमें बच्चेसे लेकर बूढ़ेतक बाप-दादोंकी परम्परासे चले आनेवाले धार्मिक कार्यका भार सँभालते हैं; परंतु उसके लिये मनमें कभी खेदका अनुभव नहीं करते है; ऐसे ही लोगोंको मैं चाहता हूँ
yeṣāṃ bālāś ca vṛddhāś ca pitṛ-paitāmahīṃ dhuram | uddahanti na sīdanti tebhyo vai spṛhayāmy aham ||
येषां बालाश्च वृद्धाश्च पितृपैतामहीं धुरम्। उद्धहन्ति न सीदन्ति तेभ्यो वै स्पृहयाम्यहम्॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises steadfastness in inherited dharma: people who, across generations, accept the responsibilities handed down in the family and perform them without resentment or discouragement are worthy of admiration.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma is instructing Yudhishthira on righteous conduct. Here he highlights an ethical ideal—families where both young and old uphold ancestral religious and social duties without feeling burdened or disheartened.