आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
पिप्पलं च वर्ट चैव शणशाकं तथैव च । उदुम्बरं न खादेच्च भवार्थी पुरुषोत्तम:,अपना कल्याण चाहनेवाले श्रेष्ठ पुरुषको पीपल, बड़ और गूलरके फलका तथा सनके सागका सेवन नहीं करना चाहिये
pippalaṃ ca vaṭaṃ caiva śaṇaśākaṃ tathaiva ca | udumbaraṃ na khādec ca bhavārthī puruṣottamaḥ ||
Bhishma sprach: „O Bester der Menschen, wer sein Wohlergehen und sein geistiges Heil sucht, soll darauf verzichten, die Früchte der pippala (heiligen Feige), der vaṭa (Banyan) und der udumbara (Büschelfeige) zu essen, und ebenso śaṇaśāka meiden (Blattgemüse der śaṇa/Flachspflanze).“
भीष्म उवाच
The verse teaches disciplined restraint in diet as part of dharma: a person seeking true welfare (bhavārthī) should avoid certain foods—specified fruits and greens—implying that ethical-spiritual well-being is supported by regulated consumption.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma is instructing the listener (addressed as puruṣottama, “best of men”) on codes of conduct. Here he gives a specific dietary injunction, listing items to be avoided by one intent on personal and spiritual good.