Shloka 17
सदाचार-नियमाः: शील, संयम, संग-निषेध, शुचिता, वाणी-नीति, परोपकारः
अतीव जागरस्वप्ने तद्वत् स्थानासने बुधः न सेवेत तथा शय्यां व्यायामं च नरेश्वर
atīva jāgarasvapne tadvat sthānāsane budhaḥ na seveta tathā śayyāṃ vyāyāmaṃ ca nareśvara
O lord of men, the wise should not indulge in excess—whether in wakefulness or in sleep; likewise, he should not become habituated to idleness in standing or sitting, nor to overfondness for the bed, nor even to exertion carried to extremes.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya, framed as counsel applicable to kings—addressing 'nareśvara')
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Rules of disciplined living—sleep, wakefulness, posture, and exertion
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: practical and prescriptive
Concept: The wise avoid extremes in sleep, wakefulness, inactivity, and even exertion; balanced habit sustains dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Keep regular sleep, avoid sedentary stagnation, and practice sustainable exercise—aiming for steadiness rather than intensity spikes.
Vishishtadvaita: Body-discipline is valued as a real instrument for serving the Lord through dharma and bhakti (śarīra as dharma-sādhana).
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse presents moderation as a core discipline of dharma: excess sleep, excess wakefulness, constant sitting/standing, indulgence in bed, or extreme exertion all disrupt steadiness of mind and the capacity to uphold righteous order.
Through practical restraints—regulating sleep, activity, rest, and exercise—Parāśara frames self-mastery as the foundation of effective kingship and ethical life, aligning personal rhythm with dharmic stability.
Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the teaching serves Vishnu’s cosmic sovereignty: the ruler’s self-control sustains dharma in society, reflecting the ordered governance that ultimately rests on Vishnu as the supreme ground of law and harmony.