Shloka 15
Śakra–Śambara Saṃvāda: Brāhmaṇa-sevā, Anasūyā, and Vāg-bala (शक्रशम्बरसंवादः)
पितृणां देवतानां च मनुष्योरगरक्षसाम् । पुराप्येते महाभागा ब्राह्मणा वै जनाधिप,नरेश्वर! प्राचीनकालसे ही ये महाभाग ब्राह्मण-लोग देवता, पितर, मनुष्य, नाग और राक्षसोंके पूजनीय हैं
pitṝṇāṃ devatānāṃ ca manuṣyoragarakṣasām | purāpy ete mahābhāgā brāhmaṇā vai janādhipa naraśvara |
毗湿摩说道：“噢，人中之主，噢，大王！自远古以来，这些福德显赫的婆罗门确为应受敬礼者：为祖灵（Pitṛ）与诸天所敬，也为人类、那伽与罗刹所敬。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts the long-established dharmic principle that Brāhmaṇas, as custodians of Vedic learning and ritual, are to be honored universally—by gods, ancestors, humans, and even powerful non-human beings—highlighting reverence for spiritual authority and tradition.
Bhīṣma addresses the king (Yudhiṣṭhira in this parva’s discourse) and emphasizes an ancient norm: Brāhmaṇas have always been regarded as venerable across all realms of beings, reinforcing the ethical duty of rulers and society to respect and protect them.