Shloka 73
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
उच्छिष्टो यः प्राद्रवति स्वाध्यायं चाधिगच्छति । यश्चानध्यायकाले5पि मोहादभ्यस्यति द्विज:,प्राचीन इतिहासके जानकार लोग इस विषयमें यमराजकी गायी हुई गाथा सुनाया करते हैं। (यमराज कहते हैं--) “जो मनुष्य जूठे मुँह उठकर दौड़ता और स्वाध्याय करता है, मैं उसकी आयु नष्ट कर देता हूँ और उसकी संतानोंको भी उससे छीन लेता हूँ। जो द्विज मोहवश अनध्यायके समय भी अध्ययन करता है, उसके वैदिक ज्ञान और आयुका भी नाश हो जाता है।' अतः सावधान पुरुषको निषिद्ध समयमें कभी वेदोंका अध्ययन नहीं करना चाहिये
ucchiṣṭo yaḥ prādravati svādhyāyaṃ cādhigacchati | yaścānadhyāya-kāle 'pi mohād abhyasyati dvijaḥ ||
Bhīṣma says: “One who, with an impure mouth after eating, hastens about and engages in Vedic recitation and study, and one who—out of delusion—studies even during times prohibited for recitation (anadhyāya): the tradition recalls an ancient account sung by Yama. Yama declares that he cuts short the lifespan of such a person and deprives him of his progeny; and for the twice-born who studies during an anadhyāya period, both Vedic merit/knowledge and longevity are ruined. Therefore, a prudent person should never study the Veda at forbidden times.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vedic study (svādhyāya) must be done with proper purity and at permitted times; studying with an impure mouth (ucchiṣṭa) or during an anadhyāya period is portrayed as a serious breach that destroys longevity and the fruit of learning.
Bhishma instructs by citing an old traditional account attributed to Yama: Yama warns that those who recite/study the Veda in impure or prohibited conditions incur grave consequences, so the wise should avoid svādhyāya at forbidden times.