Shloka 12
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
अभक्षयन् वृथा मांसममांसाशी भवत्युत । दानं ददत् पवित्री स्यादस्वप्नश्न दिवास्वपन्
abhakṣayan vṛthā māṁsam amāṁsāśī bhavaty uta | dānaṁ dadat pavitrī syād asvapnaśn divāsvapan ||
Bhishma berkata: “Orang yang tidak memakan daging, dialah sungguh seorang non-pemakan daging. Orang yang terus-menerus memberi dana menjadi suci. Dan orang yang tidak tidur pada siang hari dipandang sebagai insan yang senantiasa terjaga.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that ethical refinement is shown through restraint (avoiding meat), generosity (regular giving), and disciplined habits (avoiding daytime sleep), each contributing to purity and steadiness.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma is instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he lists practical markers of virtuous living—dietary restraint, charitable conduct, and wakeful discipline.