Shloka 56
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
प्राडमुखो नित्यमश्रीयाद् वाग्यतो5न्नमकुत्सयन् । प्रस्कन्दयेच्च मनसा भुक्त्वा चाग्निमुपस्पृशेत्
prāḍmukho nityam aśrīyād vāgyato 'nnam akutsayan | praskandayec ca manasā bhuktvā cāgnim upaspṛśet ||
Bhīṣma dit : L’homme qui prend son repas doit le faire chaque jour tourné vers l’est, en silence et dans la maîtrise de soi. En mangeant, il ne doit pas dénigrer la nourriture qui lui a été servie. Qu’il en laisse une petite part sans la consommer, puis, le repas achevé, qu’il se remémore intérieurement le Feu sacré (Agni), gardant révérence et discipline dans ce simple acte de se nourrir.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Everyday acts like eating are part of dharma: eat with discipline (silence and restraint), gratitude (no fault-finding with what is served), moderation (leave a small remainder), and reverence (mentally recollect the sacred fire after the meal).
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising on proper conduct (ācāra). Here he gives practical household guidance on how one should take food in a disciplined and reverent manner.