Shloka 66
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
कृतांजलिरुपासीत गच्छन्तं पृष्ठतो5न्वियात् । इसलिये जब कोई वृद्ध पुरुष अपने पास आवे, तब उसे प्रणाम करके बैठनेकी आसन दे और स्वयं हाथ जोड़कर उसकी सेवामें उपस्थित रहे। फिर जब वह जाने लगे, तब उसके पीछे-पीछे कुछ दूरतक जाय ।। न चासीतासने भिन्ने भिन्नकांस्यं च वर्जयेत्
kṛtāñjalir upāsīta gacchantaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nviyāt | na cāsītāsane bhinne bhinnakāṃsyaṃ ca varjayet ||
Bhīṣma said: One should stand by an elder with folded hands in respectful attendance, and when the elder departs, one should follow behind for some distance. One should not sit on a separate seat set apart from the elder, and one should avoid using separate utensils—thus maintaining humility, reverence, and a spirit of service toward seniors.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cultivate reverence and service toward elders: greet with folded hands, attend respectfully, accompany them when they depart, and avoid displays of separateness or superiority in seating and dining.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and proper conduct, Bhīṣma lays down practical rules of etiquette (sadācāra) for how one should behave in the presence of an elder.