Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1
ब्राह्मण–क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठता-विवादः
Arjuna–Vāyu Dialogue on Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya Precedence
ऑपन-माजल बछ। जज द्वात्रिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: दिग्गजोंका धर्मसम्बन्धी रहस्य एवं प्रभाव भीष्म उवाच ततः पद्मप्रतीकाश: पद्मोद्भूत: पितामह: । उवाच वचन देवान् वासवं च शचीपतिम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: tataḥ padmapratīkāśaḥ padmodbhūtaḥ pitāmahaḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ devān vāsavaṃ ca śacīpatim ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O Hari, pagkaraan niyon, ang Matandang Ama—si Brahmā na isinilang sa lotus at nagniningning na gaya ng lotus—ay nagsalita sa mga diyos, at gayundin kay Vāsava (Indra), ang panginoon ni Śacī, sa ganitong mga salita.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets an ethical frame of instruction: authoritative dharma-knowledge is conveyed through a revered elder (Brahmā) addressing the gods and Indra, implying that right conduct and its ‘secrets/effects’ are grounded in divine and traditional authority.
Bhīṣma transitions into a new episode: Brahmā, described as lotus-born and lotus-radiant, begins a formal address to the assembled gods and to Indra (Śacī’s lord), introducing the discourse that follows in the chapter.