Shloka 4
Vītahavya’s Attainment of Brāhmaṇya (Vītahavya–Vipratva) | वीतहव्यस्य ब्राह्मण्यप्राप्तिः
न हि शबक््यं त्वया प्राप्तुं ब्राह्मण्यमिह दुर्मते । अप्राप्यं प्रार्थथानो हि नचिराद् विनशिष्यसि
na hi śakyaṃ tvayā prāptuṃ brāhmaṇyam iha durmate | aprāpyaṃ prārthayāno hi nacirād vinaśiṣyasi ||
“அறிவிழந்தவனே! இவ்வாழ்வில் நீ பிராமணத்துவத்தை அடைய இயலாது. அடைய முடியாததை வேண்டிக்கொண்டே இருந்தால் விரைவில் நீ அழிவைச் சந்திப்பாய்.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma warns that spiritual-ethical status (here, brāhmaṇya as character and discipline) is not gained by mere wishing; when one seeks an unattainable goal without the requisite qualifications and conduct, the pursuit becomes self-destructive and leads to downfall.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction within the Anuśāsana Parva, he rebukes an addressed person as “durmati” and declares that the person cannot attain brāhmaṇya in this life; continuing to implore for it despite lacking the basis will quickly end in ruin.