Shloka 71
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
नाध्यापयेत् तथोच्छिष्टो नाधीयीत कदाचन । वाते च पूतिगन्धे च मनसापि न चिन्तयेत्,जूठे मुँह न पढ़ाये तथा उच्छिष्ट अवस्थामें स्वयं भी कभी स्वाध्याय न करे। यदि दुर्गन्धयुक्त वायु चले, तब तो मनसे स्वाध्यायका चिन्तन भी नहीं करना चाहिये
na adhyāpayet tathocchiṣṭo nādhīyīta kadācana | vāte ca pūtigandhe ca manasāpi na cintayet ||
Bhīṣma said: One who is ritually impure after eating—while remnants still remain in the mouth—should not teach the sacred text, and should never undertake self-recitation (svādhyāya). Even when a foul-smelling wind is blowing, one should not even in the mind contemplate recitation. Thus is reverence for Vedic study and instruction upheld, requiring bodily and environmental cleanliness as part of disciplined dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sacred teaching and self-recitation should be done only in a clean, respectful state: one should not teach or recite while ucchiṣṭa (with food-remnants/impurity), and should avoid even mental recitation in an environment made impure by foul odor.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and proper conduct, Bhīṣma lays down practical rules of ācāra for study/teaching—specifying when recitation is prohibited due to personal impurity (ucchiṣṭa) or an unsuitable environment (malodorous wind).