Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 10
समो न वत्वं द्विजातिभ्य: श्रेयो विद्धि नराधिप । गर्भस्थान् ब्राह्मणान् सम्यड़ नमस्यति किल प्रभु:
samo na tvaṃ dvijātibhyaḥ śreyo viddhi narādhipa | garbhasthān brāhmaṇān samyaṅ namasyati kila prabhuḥ ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “O hari, kailanma’y hindi ka magiging kapantay ng mga dwijati. Sikapin mong matutuhan mula sa kanila ang landas tungo sa iyong pinakamataas na kabutihan. Tunay ngang sinasabi na ang isang pinuno ay nagbibigay ng wastong paggalang kahit sa mga Brahman na nasa sinapupunan pa.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should practice humility before the dvijas—especially Brahmins—recognizing their role as custodians of dharma and guidance toward śreyas (the highest good). Royal power does not make one spiritually or ethically superior; proper reverence and learning from the wise is itself a duty of rulership.
Arjuna addresses a king and emphasizes that the ruler is not equal to the twice-born in matters of sacred authority and dharmic counsel. He urges the king to seek instruction for his welfare and underscores the traditional ideal of royal reverence by stating that a true ruler even bows, in principle, to Brahmins still unborn (garbhastha).