Shloka 20
अविद्वान ब्राह्माणो देव: पात्र वै पावनं महत् । विद्वान् भूयस्तरो देव: पूर्णमसागरसंनिभ:
avidvān brāhmaṇo devaḥ pātraṃ vai pāvanaṃ mahat | vidvān bhūyastaro devaḥ pūrṇam asāgara-saṃnibhaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Kahit ang isang Brahman na hindi nakapag-aral ay itinuturing pa ring parang banal na nilalang at isang dakilang sisidlang nakapagpapadalisay, karapat-dapat sa paggalang. Gaano pa kaya ang Brahman na may karunungan—siya’y tulad ng higit na dakilang pagka-diyos, maihahambing sa isang puspos at makapangyarihang karagatan, hitik sa mga kabutihang-asal.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a hierarchy of reverence grounded in dharma: the Brahmin, by role and sanctifying function, is treated as a purifying and god-like recipient even if unlearned; learning and wisdom elevate that status further, making the learned Brahmin supremely worthy—vast and complete in virtues like a full ocean.
In Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising on proper honor and valuation of persons. Here he emphasizes the sanctity and social-religious worth of Brahmins, contrasting the unlearned with the learned to underscore how knowledge magnifies merit and reverence.