Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 10
मातापितृगुरुपूजा-प्रशंसा
Praise of Venerating Mother, Father, and Teacher
नैतानतिशयेज्जातु नात्यश्रीयान्न दूषयेत्
na etān atiśayej jātu nātyaśrīyān na dūṣayet |
毗湿摩说道：“切莫在任何时候妄求胜过这几位，也不可轻蔑、贬损、诋毁他们。不可违逆他们正当的权威；未先供养他们之前，不可自先进食；不可将过失强加于他们；当恒常勤于侍奉。此乃最上功德之行。大王之最胜者啊，侍奉他们，你将得名声、清净之誉，并得至诸善胜世界。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not compete with, belittle, or accuse those worthy of reverence; instead, honor their authority, feed them first, and remain devoted in service—this is presented as the highest form of merit leading to fame and auspicious spiritual results.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma addresses a king and lays down practical rules of respectful behavior and service toward revered persons, promising both worldly reputation and otherworldly benefit from such conduct.