Shloka 14
Ācāra-vidhi (Rules of Conduct) — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Catalogue
पकक््वाशयस्त्वधो नाभ्यामूर्थ्यमामाशय: स्थित: । नाभिमध्ये शरीरस्य सर्वे प्राणाश्ष॒ संस्थिता:,नाभिसे नीचे पक्क्वाशय और ऊपर आमाशय स्थित है तथा नाभिके मध्यभागमें शरीरसम्बन्धी सभी प्राण स्थित हैं
pakvāśayas tv adho nābhyām ūrdhvam āmāśayaḥ sthitaḥ | nābhimadhye śarīrasya sarve prāṇāḥ saṃsthitāḥ ||
Bharadvāja said: Below the navel lies the pakvāśaya (the lower digestive receptacle), and above it is situated the āmāśaya (the stomach). In the region of the navel, within the body, all the vital airs are established.
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches an ordered understanding of the body: digestive organs have specific locations relative to the navel, and the navel-region is presented as a central seat of the vital airs (prāṇas). Such knowledge supports disciplined conduct and yogic/ethical self-regulation.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Bharadvāja is explaining bodily structure and the placement of vital functions, as part of a broader discourse on inner discipline and the foundations for right living.