Shloka 68
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
उच्छिष्टो न स्पृशेच्छीर्ष सर्वे प्राणास्तदा श्रया: । नंगे होकर न सोये। उच्छिष्ट अवस्थामें भी शयन न करे। जूठे हाथसे मस्तकका स्पर्श न करे; क्योंकि समस्त प्राण मस्तकके ही आश्रित हैं ।। ६७ $ ।। केशग्रहं प्रहारांश्न शिरस्येतान् विवर्जयेत्,सिरके बाल पकड़कर खींचना और मस्तकपर प्रहार करना वर्जित है। दोनों हाथ सटाकर उनसे अपना सिर न खुजलावे। बारंबार मस्तकपर पानी न डाले। इन सब बातोंके पालनसे मनुष्यकी आयु क्षीण नहीं होती है
Bhīṣma uvāca: ucchiṣṭo na spṛśecchīrṣaṁ sarve prāṇās tadāśrayāḥ | keśagrahaṁ prahārāṁś ca śirasy etān vivarjayet |
Bhīṣma said: One should not touch the head with hands that are impure from leftover food, for all the vital energies are said to depend upon the head. Therefore, one should avoid seizing the hair and striking the head. These restraints are taught as rules of disciplined conduct that protect life and well-being.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain disciplined conduct regarding the head: do not touch it with impure (ucchiṣṭa) hands, and avoid actions like hair-pulling or striking the head, since the head is regarded as the seat/support of the prāṇas.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues giving Yudhiṣṭhira practical dharma-guidance (ācāra), here focusing on bodily discipline and protective rules connected with life-force and longevity.