आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
आचम्य चैकहस्तेन परिप्लाव्यं तथोदकम् । अंगुष्ठं चरणस्याथ दक्षिणस्यावसेचयेत्
ācamya caikahastena pariplāvyaṃ tathodakam | aṅguṣṭhaṃ caraṇasyātha dakṣiṇasyāvasecayet ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Nachdem man mit nur einer Hand Wasser zur Reinigung geschlürft hat, soll man das Wasser ebenso spülen und im Mund kreisen lassen. Dann gieße man Wasser über den großen Zeh des rechten Fußes.“
भीष्म उवाच
The verse teaches precise ritual conduct (ācāra) connected with purification: perform ācamana properly, rinse the water, and complete the act by pouring water on the right foot’s big toe—emphasizing disciplined, mindful observance of dharma in daily practice.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper observances. Here he gives a step-by-step procedural detail of a purification rite involving water (ācamana and related rinsing actions).