Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 66
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
त्रैविद्यो ब्राह्मणो विद्वानू न चाध्ययनजीवक: । त्रिकर्मा त्रिपरिक्रान्तो मैत्र एष स्मृतो द्विज:
traividyo brāhmaṇo vidvān na cādhyayanajīvakaḥ | trikarmā triparikrānto maitra eṣa smṛto dvijaḥ ||
Wika ni Mahādeva: Ang tao ay tunay na naaalala bilang isang brāhmaṇa—isang dvija, ang “dalawang ulit na isinilang”—kapag siya’y marunong sa tatlong Veda at may dunong; hindi ikinabubuhay ang pagtuturo o pagbigkas; palagiang ginaganap ang tatlong banal na tungkulin (yajña, pagkakawanggawa, at matuwid na pamumuhay); nalampasan na ang tatlong kaaway sa loob (pagnanasa, galit, at kasakiman); at may diwang pakikipagkaibigan sa lahat ng nilalang.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True brahminhood is characterized by Vedic learning joined to integrity: not commercializing sacred study, performing key dharmic duties (sacrifice, charity, righteous conduct), conquering desire-anger-greed, and cultivating friendliness toward all beings.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Mahādeva speaks a normative definition of a brāhmaṇa, shifting emphasis from mere social label to ethical and spiritual qualifications.