Shloka 50
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
परस्त्रियं नाभिलषेद् वाचाथ मनसापि वा । अनृतं च न भाषेत मातापित्रो: कृतेपि वा
parastriyaṁ nābhilaṣed vā cātha manasāpi vā | anṛtaṁ ca na bhāṣeta mātāpitroḥ kṛte 'pi vā ||
Bhīṣma dijo: No se debe desear a la esposa de otro hombre, ni con palabras ni siquiera en la mente. Y no se debe decir mentira, ni aun por causa de la madre y el padre. La enseñanza subraya el dominio interior y la veracidad como disciplinas fundamentales del dharma, extendiendo la responsabilidad moral desde la conducta externa hasta la intención misma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Two restraints are emphasized: (1) do not covet another’s wife, not even mentally or through suggestive speech; (2) do not speak falsehood, even when motivated by filial loyalty. Dharma requires purity of intention and unwavering commitment to truth.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. This verse is part of Bhīṣma’s ethical counsel, laying down personal conduct rules that govern desire and speech.