Shloka 14
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
इत्यस्मीति वदेदेवं परेषां कीर्तयेद् गुणान् जपेदुदकशील: स्यात् पेशलो नातिजल्पक:
ity asmīti vaded evaṁ pareṣāṁ kīrtayed guṇān | japed udakaśīlaḥ syāt peśalo nātijalpakaḥ ||
Dijo Bhishma: «Así debe hablar, presentándose con humildad: “Yo soy tal y tal”, y debe ensalzar las virtudes de los demás. Ha de ser constante en la pureza ritual y en el baño diario, recitar la fórmula sagrada que haya escogido, ser cortés y de buenas maneras, y no hablar en exceso.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cultivate visible and inner reform through humility (simple self-introduction without pride), praising others’ virtues, maintaining purity and regular bathing, practicing mantra-recitation, adopting courteous conduct, and restraining speech—disciplines that support repentance and a return to dharma.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on righteous conduct and remedial practices. Here he lists behavioral disciplines—how one should speak, relate to others, and maintain purity—as part of a broader program of atonement and ethical rehabilitation.