Shloka 27
अहिंसयित्वा ब्रह्महत्याविधानम् / Brahmahatyā incurred without physical violence
युधिष्ठिने पूछा-पितामह! मनुष्य किस समय धर्मका आचरण करे? कब अर्थोपार्जनमें लगे तथा किस समय सुखभोगमें प्रवृत्त हो? यह मुझे बताइये ।।
Bhīṣma uvāca: kalyam arthaṃ niṣeveta tato dharmam anantaram | paścāt kāmaṃ niṣeveta na ca gacchet prasaṅgitām ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô roi, qu’on s’applique d’abord, au moment opportun, à acquérir des richesses ; ensuite, sans tarder, qu’on pratique le dharma ; et seulement après qu’on recherche le plaisir. Mais qu’on ne glisse pas dans l’attachement ni dans l’ivresse d’une jouissance obsessionnelle.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a disciplined sequencing of human aims: secure one’s livelihood (artha) in a timely way, then practice dharma, and only then enjoy pleasures (kama), while avoiding addiction or over-attachment to pleasure.
In the Anushasana Parva, Yudhishthira asks Bhishma about proper timing for dharma, wealth-seeking, and enjoyment. Bhishma responds with a practical ethical schedule and a warning against becoming entangled in sensual indulgence.