Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 27
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
नमस्कार्यास्तिथा विप्रा वर्तमाना यथातथम् । यथासुखं यथोत्साहं ललन्तु त्वयि पुत्रवत्
namaskāryās tathā viprā vartamānā yathātatham | yathāsukhaṃ yathotsāhaṃ lalantu tvayi putravat ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang mga Brahmana ay laging karapat-dapat sa iyong mapitagang pagpupugay. Hayaan silang mamuhay ayon sa nais nila, sa paraang nababagay sa kanila. Ituring mo silang may pag-ibig na gaya ng sa mga anak, upang sa ilalim ng iyong pag-aaruga ay manahan silang masaya—maginhawa at may panibagong sigla.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler/householder should continually honor learned brāhmaṇas with respectful salutations and ensure their well-being—granting them freedom to live as they prefer and supporting them with affectionate, protective care, so they remain joyful and spirited.
Bhīṣma, in his instruction on dharma, advises the listener (the king) on proper conduct toward brāhmaṇas: offer reverence, allow them autonomy in their way of life, and provide nurturing support comparable to that given to one’s own children.