Shloka 7
Śakra–Śambara Saṃvāda: Brāhmaṇa-sevā, Anasūyā, and Vāg-bala (शक्रशम्बरसंवादः)
जो इन ब्राह्मणोंके भी पूजनीय हों उन पुरुषोंका भी सुस्थिर चित्तसे पूजन करे; क्योंकि उनके शान्त रहनेपर ही सारा राष्ट्र शान्त एवं सुखी रह सकता है ।।
te pūjyās te namaskāryā mānyās te pitaro yathā | teṣv eva yātrā lokānāṁ bhūtānām iva vāsave ||
Ang sinumang itinuturing na karapat-dapat sambahin maging ng mga brāhmaṇa na ito, ay dapat ding sambahin ng hari nang may matatag na isip; sapagkat kapag sila’y payapa, saka lamang magiging payapa at masaya ang buong kaharian. Sila’y dapat sambahin, dapat batiin nang may pagyukod, dapat parangalan na gaya ng mga ama. Tunay, sa kanila nakasalalay ang pagpapatuloy ng buhay at kaayusang panlipunan ng mga tao, gaya ng pag-asa ng mga nilalang kay Vāsava (Indra), ang nagbibigay ng ulan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that brāhmaṇas are to be revered like fathers—worthy of worship, salutation, and honor—because the stability and well-being of society depend upon them, just as life depends on Indra’s rain. A king should therefore maintain their contentment and peace to secure the realm’s peace.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma, especially rājadharma. Here he emphasizes the king’s duty to honor brāhmaṇas and explains their societal importance through the analogy of Indra sustaining beings by rain.