Shloka 115
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
महात्मनो5तिगुह्यानि न वक्तव्यानि कर्िचित् । अगम्याक्ष न गच्छेत राज्ञ: पत्नी सखीस्तथा
mahātmano ’tiguhyāni na vaktavyāni karhicit | agamyāḥ striyo na gacchet rājñaḥ patnīḥ sakhīs tathā ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Il ne faut jamais révéler les affaires profondément secrètes d’un homme au noble esprit. Les femmes “qu’il ne convient pas d’approcher” ne doivent pas être approchées ; qu’il n’y ait point d’union avec elles. De même, qu’on ne s’approche ni des épouses du roi ni de ses compagnes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain confidentiality regarding the private affairs of the virtuous, and practice strict self-restraint by avoiding forbidden relationships—especially any approach to the king’s wives or women under royal protection.
In Bhishma’s dharma-instruction discourse (Anushasana Parva), he lays down practical rules of conduct: guarding others’ secrets and observing clear social and ethical boundaries, particularly in matters involving women connected to the royal household.