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Shloka 16

Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra

गुरुभ्य आसन देयं कर्तव्यं चाभिवादनम्‌ । गुरूनभ्यर्च्य युज्यन्ते आयुषा यशसा श्रिया

gurubhya āsanaṃ deyaṃ kartavyaṃ cābhivādanam | gurūn abhyarcya yujyante āyuṣā yaśasā śriyā ||

Bhīṣma dạy rằng: Hãy dâng chỗ ngồi cho thầy và bậc trưởng thượng, và cúi chào cung kính. Do tôn kính và phụng thờ các bậc guru, con người được ban cho thọ mạng, danh tiếng và phú quý.

गुरुभ्यःto the teachers/elders
गुरुभ्यः:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootगुरु
FormMasculine, Dative, Plural
आसनम्a seat
आसनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootआसन
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
देयम्should be given
देयम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootदा
Formतव्यत् (gerundive), Passive sense (obligation), Neuter, Nominative, Singular
कर्तव्यम्should be done
कर्तव्यम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formतव्यत् (gerundive), Active sense (obligation), Neuter, Nominative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
अभिवादनम्salutation/bowing
अभिवादनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअभिवादन
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
गुरून्teachers/elders
गुरून्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootगुरु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
अभ्यर्च्यhaving worshipped
अभ्यर्च्य:
TypeVerb
Rootअर्च् (अभि + अर्च्)
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), ल्यप्, having worshipped
युज्यन्तेare endowed/attain
युज्यन्ते:
TypeVerb
Rootयुज्
FormLat (Present), Ātmanepada, Third, Plural
आयुषाwith long life
आयुषा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootआयुस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
यशसाwith fame
यशसा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootयशस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
श्रियाwith prosperity/fortune
श्रिया:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootश्री
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
G
guru (teachers/elders)
Ś
Śrī (prosperity/fortune)

Educational Q&A

Reverence to gurus and elders—expressed through offering a seat, salutations, and honoring worship—is a dharmic duty that brings tangible fruits: longevity, good reputation, and prosperity.

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on proper conduct (sadācāra), highlighting respectful behavior toward teachers and elders as a foundational social and ethical practice.