Shloka 85
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
स्नातस्य वर्णकं नित्यमार्द्र दद्याद् विशाम्पते | विपर्ययं न कुर्वीत वाससो बुद्धिमान् नर:
bhīṣma uvāca | snātasya varṇakaṃ nityam ārdrāṃ dadyād viśāmpate | viparyayaṃ na kurvīta vāsaso buddhimān naraḥ prajānātha |
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô seigneur du peuple, après le bain on doit, régulièrement, appliquer sur le front une pâte parfumée et humide (telle que le santal). L’homme sage ne doit pas porter ses vêtements à l’envers : qu’il n’échange pas le vêtement du haut avec celui du bas.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches rules of personal conduct: after bathing one should maintain cleanliness and decorum by applying moist fragrant paste (e.g., sandal) and by wearing garments properly without reversing the upper and lower cloths.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs the king (Yudhisthira) on dharma and daily discipline. Here he gives a practical rule of post-bath etiquette as part of broader guidance on righteous living.