Shloka 60
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
शान्तिहोमांश्व॒ कुर्वीत सावित्राणि च धारयेत् । निषण्णश्नापि खादेत न तु गच्छन् कदाचन
śānti-homāṁś ca kurvīta sāvitrāṇi ca dhārayet | niṣaṇṇaś cāpi khādet na tu gacchan kadācana ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Qu’il accomplisse les rites d’apaisement (śānti-homa) et entretienne les prières de Savitrī (la Gāyatrī et les récitations associées). Même pour manger, qu’il ne le fasse qu’assis ; qu’il ne mange jamais en marchant.» L’instruction présente la discipline quotidienne comme une forme de dharma, purifiant la vie par la constance rituelle et la retenue attentive dans des actes ordinaires comme le repas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain ritual and moral discipline: perform pacificatory offerings and sustain Savitrī (Gāyatrī) recitation, and practice mindful restraint in daily habits—symbolized by eating only while seated, never while walking.
In Bhīṣma’s dharma-instructions (Anuśāsana Parva), he lays down practical rules of conduct and observance, linking Vedic practice (śānti-homa, sāvitrī-japa) with everyday etiquette to cultivate steadiness and purity.