आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
कुरुनन्दन! अब ब्राह्मणके लिये भोजनके आदि और अन्तमें जो पवित्र एवं हितकारक शुद्धिका विधान है, उसे बता रहा हूँ, सुनो
Kurunandana! adhunā brāhmaṇasya bhojanasyādau ca ante ca yaḥ pavitraḥ hitakaraś ca śuddhikā-vidhiḥ, taṃ te kathayiṣyāmi; śṛṇu.
Bhishma said: “O joy of the Kuru line, listen. I shall now describe for a Brahmin the pure and beneficial rite of purification to be observed at the beginning and at the end of a meal.”
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma introduces the dharmic principle that eating is not merely physical nourishment but a regulated act requiring purity and mindfulness; therefore, a Brahmin should observe prescribed purificatory practices at the start and end of a meal for spiritual and ethical well-being.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhisthira. Here he transitions to a specific topic—rules of purification connected with meals for Brahmins—and signals that he will explain the procedure, asking Yudhisthira to listen.