Shloka 21
Anuśāsana-parva Adhyāya 112: Dharma as the sole companion; karmic witnesses; rebirth sequences
Bṛhaspati–Yudhiṣṭhira Saṃvāda
एवं शरीरशौचेन तीर्थशौचेन चान्वित: । शुचि: सिद्धिमवाप्रोति द्विविधं शौचमुत्तमम्
evaṁ śarīra-śaucena tīrtha-śaucena cānvitaḥ | śuciḥ siddhim avāpnoti dvividhaṁ śaucam uttamam ||
Bhīṣma dit : Celui qui est pourvu de la pureté du corps et de la pureté acquise dans les lieux sacrés (tīrtha) devient véritablement pur et atteint l’accomplissement spirituel. Cette pureté double est proclamée la plus haute.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the highest purity is twofold: maintaining bodily cleanliness and cultivating sanctifying purity associated with tīrthas (sacred places/rites). When both are present, one becomes truly pure and attains spiritual success.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he emphasizes the value of śauca (purity), presenting it as a practical ethical discipline that supports spiritual attainment.