Shloka 13
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
न मे त्वत्त: प्रियतरो लोके5स्मिन् पाण्डुनन्दन । त्वत्तश्षापि प्रियतरा ब्राह्मणा भरतर्षभ
na me tvattaḥ priyataro loke 'smin pāṇḍunandana | tvattaś cāpi priyatarā brāhmaṇā bharatarṣabha ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Hỡi con của Pāṇḍu, trong đời này không ai thân thiết với ta hơn con. Nhưng hỡi bậc kiệt xuất của dòng Bharata, các Bà-la-môn còn được ta kính yêu hơn cả con.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma distinguishes between personal love and dharmic priority: even the dearest person should not outrank one’s reverence for those who uphold sacred knowledge and dharma (here represented by the Brāhmaṇas). It teaches that ethical commitments and respect for dharma-bearing institutions can supersede private attachment.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he addresses the king affectionately, affirming Yudhiṣṭhira’s special place in his heart, while simultaneously emphasizing the superior claim of Brāhmaṇas upon honor and regard—setting the tone for counsel on righteous conduct and social-religious duties.