Shloka 68
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
उच्छिष्टो न स्पृशेच्छीर्ष सर्वे प्राणास्तदा श्रया: । नंगे होकर न सोये। उच्छिष्ट अवस्थामें भी शयन न करे। जूठे हाथसे मस्तकका स्पर्श न करे; क्योंकि समस्त प्राण मस्तकके ही आश्रित हैं ।।
Bhīṣma uvāca: ucchiṣṭo na spṛśecchīrṣaṁ sarve prāṇās tadāśrayāḥ | keśagrahaṁ prahārāṁś ca śirasy etān vivarjayet |
Bhīṣma bersabda: Jangan menyentuh kepala dengan tangan yang masih ucciṣṭa, sebab segala daya kehidupan dikatakan bersandar pada kepala. Karena itu, hindarilah menarik rambut dan memukul kepala—semua itu patut dijauhi.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain disciplined conduct regarding the head: do not touch it with impure (ucchiṣṭa) hands, and avoid actions like hair-pulling or striking the head, since the head is regarded as the seat/support of the prāṇas.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues giving Yudhiṣṭhira practical dharma-guidance (ācāra), here focusing on bodily discipline and protective rules connected with life-force and longevity.