Shloka 4
Keśava-tattva-kathana
On the Principle of Keśava: Cosmogony and Divine Epithets
पूर्व ये चापरे तत्र समेता ब्राह्मणर्षभा: । सर्वान् सम्पूज्य शिरसा राजानं सोडब्रवीद् द्विज:
pūrve ye cāpare tatra sametā brāhmaṇarṣabhāḥ | sarvān sampūjya śirasā rājānaṃ so 'bravīd dvijaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Doon, nagkatipon ang mga pinakadakilang Brahmana—yaong nauna at yaong dumating pa. Pagyukod ng ulo at paggalang nang nararapat sa kanilang lahat, saka nagsalita ang Brahmana sa hari—sa diwa ng paggalang at dharma, sapagkat ang paggalang sa karapat-dapat ay nauuna bago ang payo sa namumuno.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before offering counsel—especially to a ruler—one should first honor those worthy of respect. The verse models dharmic conduct: humility, proper etiquette, and recognition of spiritual authority as the foundation for ethical speech and governance.
In an assembly where eminent Brahmins are gathered, a Brahmin first bows and pays due respects to all present. After completing these courtesies, he proceeds to speak to the king, indicating that the forthcoming address is framed within established norms of reverence and dharma.