Shloka 47
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
अवलोक्यो न चादर्शो मलिनो बुद्धिमत्तरै: । न चाज्ञातां स्त्रियं गच्छेद् गर्भिणीं वा कदाचन
avalokyo na cādarśo malino buddhimattaraiḥ | na cājñātāṃ striyaṃ gacched garbhiṇīṃ vā kadācana ||
Bhīṣma enseña una norma de conducta prudente: un hombre verdaderamente inteligente no debe mirarse el rostro en un espejo sucio, y jamás debe acercarse a una mujer desconocida—ni a una mujer encinta. El consejo subraya la contención, la pureza y el evitar situaciones que traen confusión moral, sospecha social o daño.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain purity and discretion: avoid degrading or misleading self-regard (the dirty mirror) and avoid morally risky or socially harmful encounters (approaching unknown women or pregnant women).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma and proper conduct, he lists practical prohibitions meant to guide a householder’s behavior and protect personal integrity and social order.