Shloka 76
Brāhmaṇa-bheda-nirṇaya and Rājā’s Regulatory Duties (ब्राह्मणभेदनिर्णयः)
(यज्ञ: श्रुतमपैशुन्यमहिंसातिथिपूजनम् । दम: सत्यं तपो दानमेतद् ब्राह्मणलक्षणम् ।।
yajñaḥ śrutam apaiśunyam ahiṃsā atithipūjanam | damaḥ satyaṃ tapo dānam etad brāhmaṇalakṣaṇam ||
毗湿摩说道：“祭献（奉献之心）、研习吠陀、不作谗毁、非暴力——于心、言、行皆不令任何众生受苦——敬奉宾客、自制、真实、苦行与布施：此皆婆罗门之标志。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma defines brāhmaṇa-hood by conduct and virtues—sacred learning, non-slander, non-violence in thought/speech/action, hospitality, self-restraint, truth, austerity, and generosity—rather than by mere status.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by listing the ethical and spiritual traits that characterize a brāhmaṇa, as part of broader guidance on social and moral order.