Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 13
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
सर्वलक्षणहीनो5पि समुदाचारवान् नर: । श्रद्दधानोडनसूयुश्च॒ शतं वर्षाणि जीवति
sarvalakṣaṇahīno 'pi sadācāravān naraḥ | śraddadhāno 'nasūyuś ca śataṁ varṣāṇi jīvati ||
भीष्म ने कहा—सब प्रकार के शुभ लक्षणों से हीन होने पर भी जो मनुष्य सदाचारी, श्रद्धालु और दोषदृष्टि से रहित होता है, वह सौ वर्ष तक जीवित रहता है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External auspicious signs are secondary; a life rooted in good conduct (sadācāra), faith (śraddhā), and freedom from envy or fault-finding (anasūyā) is presented as the true basis for a full, long life.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues his instruction on dharma, highlighting practical virtues. Here he contrasts physiognomic ‘marks’ with inner qualities, asserting that moral character and a non-malicious attitude outweigh outward indicators.