Anushasana-parva is the Book of the Instructions that constitutes final instructions (anushasana) from Bhishma. Among the 18 Parvas of Mahabharat, this book has eighty nine to ninety. The Anusasana Parva is a long interval in the narrative of the Mahabharata. This Parva explains the instructions given by Bhishma while set on the deathbed. The Anusasana Parva is regarded as a huge treasure-trove of Brahmanic lore which is a later story added in the epic.

Anushasana-parva is a chronicle of the phase when Maharaja Yudhishtira began to rule the kingdom under the direction of the Brahmanas. After the coronation ceremony King Yudhishtira approached Lord Krishna and expressed his grief regarding the pain suffered by Maharaja Bhishma. The almighty asked Yudhisthira to proceed towards the battle field receive certain high principled instructions from his grandsire.

In the Anushasana-parva a narrative can be found on the condition of Maharaja Bhishma and his suffering. In the bed of arrows he was surrounded by the sages and rishis. Such as were Vyasadeva and Narada Muni. Other great sages present in the scene were Devala, Asita, Sumantu, Jaimini, Maitreya, Chyavana, Vashistha, Sanat Kumara, Kapila, Valmiki and Lomasa. When Yudhishtira approached him for the set of instructions, Bhishma expressed his dictums.

Anushasana-parva demonstrates how Bhishma said that there are nine duties to nine duties belong to all the four orders. These include suppression of anger, truthfulness, justice, and forgiveness, begetting children by one`s own wife, purity, avoidance of quarrel, simplicity, and maintenance of dependents. He also declared the duties which belonged to Brahmanas exclusively. Sense control has been declared to be the first and foremost duty of a brahmana. The second duty of the Brahminical order embraces the study of the Vedas and performance of austerities. Worship of the deity and teaching others how to worship the deity are prominent among the duties of the Brahminical order.

Similarly, according to the book Anushasana-parva, Kshatriyas should also abide by certain principles. Kshatriyas should never beg, but should acquire wealth by taxing the citizens. He should study the Vedas, but not engage in the profession of teaching. He should offer protection to the citizens and put forward his prowess on the field of battle. Protecting the citizens is a higher duty for a Kshatriya and the book mentions that study of the Vedas and performance of sacrifice bring prosperity to a king. A king should engage all the subjects in their occupational duties according to their order of life.

Anushasana-parva deals with the fact that according to Bhishma a Vaishya and shudra should also carry on their respective duties. A vaishya is responsible to perform service and give in charity, study the Vedas, perform sacrifices and acquire wealth by fair means. One of the foremost intentions of the vaishya is to protect all animals especially the cow and the bull as they are considered to be the parents of all mankind in order to attain lasting prosperity. A shudra is assigned with the duty of serving the other three orders according to seniority. The Anushasana-parva speaks that by such service he will obtain happiness.

Anushasana-parva describes how Bhishma went on to explain the Varnashrama system, acts of charity and also the practical duties of a king and activities of salvation. Here, he briefly described the extensive duties of women and devotees too.