Shloka 11
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
होमकाले तथा जुद्वन्नतुकाले तथा व्रजन् । अनन्यस्त्रीजन: प्राज्ञो ब्रह्मचारी तथा भवेत्
homakāle tathā yudvan ṛtukāle tathā vrajan | ananyastrījanaḥ prājño brahmacārī tathā bhavet ||
Bhishma berkata: Seorang bijak yang menunaikan persembahan api harian pada waktunya, mendatangi istrinya hanya pada masa suburnya, dan tak pernah mengarahkan pandangan kepada perempuan lain, patut dipandang hidup laksana brahmacārin—berdisiplin, menahan diri, dan setia pada dharma meski tetap berumah tangga.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brahmacarya is presented not only as literal celibacy but as disciplined conduct: regular performance of sacred duties, conjugal relations confined to dharmically permitted times, and unwavering fidelity—no pursuit of other women. Such restraint makes a householder comparable to a brahmacārin in ethical stature.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira standards of self-control for householders. He defines a model of restrained domestic life—ritual regularity and sexual moderation—framing it as brahmacarya-like discipline within gṛhastha life.