Shloka 4
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
भीष्म उवाच अत्र तेहहं प्रवक्ष्यामि यन्मां त्वमनुपृच्छसि । अल्पायुर्येन भवति दीर्घायुर्वापि मानव:
bhīṣma uvāca atra te ’haṁ pravakṣyāmi yan māṁ tvam anupṛcchasi | alpāyur yena bhavati dīrghāyur vāpi mānavaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Here I shall explain to you what you are asking me—by what causes a human being becomes short-lived, and by what causes one becomes long-lived as well.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma introduces a moral-causal explanation of lifespan: he will describe the behaviors and qualities that lead to a shortened life and those that support longevity, framing longevity as connected to dharmic conduct and disciplined living.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instructional setting, Bhishma responds to a question posed to him and begins his reply by promising to explain the causes of short life and long life in human beings.