Shloka 2
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
भीष्म उवाच अवेदोत्तव्रताश्चैव भुज्जाना: कामकारणे । वेदोक्तेषु तु भुज्जाना व्रतलुप्ता युधिष्ठिर
bhīṣma uvāca avedottavratāś caiva bhuñjānāḥ kāmakāraṇe | vedokteṣu tu bhuñjānā vrataluptā yudhiṣṭhira ||
قال بهيشما: «إنّ قومًا يأكلون بدافع الشهوة المحضة، متّبعين نذورًا وقيودًا لا أصل لها في الفيدا. ولكن حتى من لا يأكل إلا ما نصّت عليه الفيدا يُعَدّ “ناقضًا للنذر”، يا يودهيشثيرا، إذا ترك انضباط النذر ومقصده.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma distinguishes between eating motivated by craving and eating governed by disciplined observance. Even when one follows Vedic prescriptions externally, the vow is considered ‘lost’ if the inner restraint and purpose of the vow are abandoned.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct, he comments on food and observances (vrata), warning that desire-driven indulgence and laxity in discipline undermine the ethical value of ritual practice.