येषां वृद्धश्न बालश्न सर्व: सम्मानमरहति । तपोविद्याविशेषात्तु मानयन्ति परस्परम्
yeṣāṁ vṛddhaśna bālaśna sarvaḥ sammānam arhati | tapovidyāviśeṣāt tu mānayanti parasparam ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Sa mga Brahmin, matanda man o bata, bawat isa’y karapat-dapat sa paggalang. Gayunman, sa loob ng kanilang pamayanan, higit nilang pinararangalan ang isa’t isa ayon sa kahusayan sa tapa at sa pagkatuto—kinikilalang ang disiplina ng espiritu at kaalaman ang tunay na sukatan ng pagkakaiba.
भीष्म उवाच
Everyone within the Brahmin community is intrinsically worthy of respect regardless of age; nevertheless, special esteem is accorded based on demonstrable excellence in tapas (discipline/austerity) and vidyā (learning), making virtue and knowledge the ethical criteria for higher honor.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (Anushasana Parva), he explains norms of social reverence: Brahmins should be honored universally, and among themselves they mutually recognize and honor greater spiritual discipline and learning.