Shloka 11
Varṇāśrama-ācāra and Vikarma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry on Safe Dharmas (शिवधर्मप्रश्नः)
स्वदारतुष्टस्त्वृुतुकालगामी नियोगसेवी न शठो न जिद्दः । मिताशनो देवरत: कृतज्ञः सत्यो मृदुश्चानृशंस: क्षमावान्,गृहस्थको चाहिये कि वह अपनी ही स्त्रीमें अनुराग रखते हुए संतुष्ट रहे। ऋतुकालमें ही पत्नीके साथ समागम करे। शास्त्रोंकी आज्ञाका पालन करता रहे। शठता और कुटिलतासे दूर रहे। परिमित आहार ग्रहण करे। देवताओंकी आराधनामें तत्पर रहे। उपकार करनेवालोंके प्रति कृतज्ञता प्रकट करे। सत्य बोले। सबके प्रति मृदुभाव रखे। किसीके प्रति क्रूर न बने और सदा क्षमाभाव रखे
svadāra-tuṣṭas tv ṛtukāla-gāmī niyoga-sevī na śaṭho na jihmaḥ | mitāśano devarataḥ kṛtajñaḥ satyo mṛduś cānṛśaṁsaḥ kṣamāvān ||
Bhīṣma said: A householder should be content with love for his own wife alone, approaching her only in the proper season. He should follow the scriptural injunctions, free from deceit and crookedness. He should eat in moderation, be devoted to the worship of the gods, show gratitude to benefactors, speak truth, remain gentle toward all, never be cruel, and be ever forgiving.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma outlines the ethical ideal of a gṛhastha: marital fidelity and regulated sexuality, obedience to śāstric duty, moderation in food, devotion to the gods, gratitude, truthfulness, gentleness, non-cruelty, and forgiveness—virtues that stabilize both household and society.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma after the war. Here he gives a concise list of qualities and disciplines expected of a righteous householder, presenting practical conduct rather than battlefield events.