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 |
Wahai pelindung rakyat, setelah mandi seseorang hendaknya senantiasa mengoleskan pasta harum yang lembap—seperti cendana—pada dahi. Orang bijak tidak boleh mengenakan pakaian secara terbalik: kain atas jangan dijadikan kain bawah, dan kain bawah jangan ditukar menjadi kain atas.
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.