Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
उपवासविधि-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the Discipline of Fasting
दश चैव पितृन् माता सर्वा वा पृथिवीमपि । गौरवेणाभिभवति नास्ति मातृसमो गुरु:
daśa caiva pitṝn mātā sarvā vā pṛthivīm api | gauraveṇābhibhavati nāsti mātṛ-samo guruḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang ina ay humihigit pa sa sampung ama; tunay nga, sa bigat ng kanyang dangal at halaga, nalalampasan niya maging ang buong daigdig. Kaya’t walang gurong kapantay ng ina. Itinatanghal ng talatang ito ang paggalang sa ina bilang pangunahing tungkuling etikal, at inilalarawan ang pasasalamat at paglilingkod sa ina bilang pinakadakilang anyo ng dharma.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the mother holds the highest claim to reverence and gratitude—surpassing even multiple paternal authorities—and is therefore the foremost 'guru' in one’s moral life.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and right conduct; here he emphasizes the hierarchy of respect within family and society, placing the mother at the pinnacle.