Shloka 51
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
न नग्न: कर्तहिचित् स्नायान्न निशायां कदाचन । स्नात्वा च नावमृज्येत गात्राणि सुविचक्षण:
na nagnaḥ kartahicit snāyān na niśāyāṃ kadācana | snātvā ca nāvamṛjyeta gātrāṇi suvicakṣaṇaḥ |
Bhīṣma sprach: Ein weiser Mann soll niemals nackt baden und auch niemals bei Nacht baden. Und nach dem Bad soll der Einsichtige seine Glieder nicht mit Öl und dergleichen reiben oder massieren.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches regulated personal conduct: maintain modesty (do not bathe naked), avoid bathing at night, and refrain from post-bath oil-rubbing/massage—presented as marks of prudence and dharmic discipline.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on proper daily behavior (ācāra), giving practical rules of bodily purity and restraint as part of righteous living.