Shloka 18
Brāhmaṇa-vandana: Criteria for Veneration, Disciplined Speech, and Protective Kingship (अनुशासनपर्व, अध्याय ८)
ब्रह्मण्य इति मामाहुस्तया वाचास्मि तोषित: । एतदेव पवित्रेभ्य: सर्वेभ्य: परमं स्मृतम्
brahmaṇya iti mām āhus tayā vācāsmi toṣitaḥ | etad eva pavitrebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ paramaṃ smṛtam |
Bhishma nói: “Người đời gọi ta là ‘kẻ tận tâm với Bà-la-môn’; nghe những lời ấy, ta vô cùng mãn nguyện. Quả thật, chỉ riêng điều này được ghi nhớ là cao quý nhất trong mọi hành vi thanh tịnh—phụng sự các Bà-la-môn.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma presents service and reverence toward Brahmins as a supreme purifier: among all acts considered holy, supporting and serving those who preserve Vedic learning and dharma is remembered as the highest.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he reflects on being praised as ‘brahmaṇya’ (devoted to Brahmins). He expresses satisfaction at this reputation and uses it to emphasize the ethical priority of honoring and serving Brahmins.