Shloka 78
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
जिसे दीर्घ कालतक जीवित रहनेकी इच्छा हो, वह ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और सर्प--इन तीनोंके दुर्बल होनेपर भी इनको न छेड़े; क्योंकि ये सभी बड़े जहरीले होते हैं ।।
bhīṣma uvāca |
yaḥ dīrgha-kālaṁ jīvitum icchet sa brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-sarpa—etān trīn api durbalān na hiṁsyāt/na spṛśet | te hi sarve mahā-viṣāḥ | sarpaḥ kruddho yāvat cakṣuṣā paśyati tāvat dhāvati daśati ca | kṣatriyo ’pi kruddho yāvat tejasā spṛśati tāvat śatruṁ bhasmīkartum īhate | brāhmaṇas tu kruddho dṛṣṭyā saṅkalpena ca avamāninam puruṣaṁ tasya kulaṁ samantāt dagdhum arhati | tasmāt budhaḥ puruṣaḥ etān trīn yathāvat yatnena seveta ||
ビーシュマは言った。「長寿を望む者は、たとえ弱く見えようとも、この三者を挑発してはならぬ。すなわち、バラモン、クシャトリヤ、そして蛇である。三者はいずれも、それぞれの仕方で激しい『毒』を持つ。怒れる蛇は、その眼の届く限りに襲いかかって噛みつく。怒れるクシャトリヤは、武の力の及ぶ限りを尽くして敵を焼き滅ぼそうとする。だがバラモンが怒れば、その視線と誓願の力によって、辱めた者の一族全体をも焼き尽くし得る。ゆえに賢者は、この三者を慎み深く敬い、手厚く遇すべきである。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not underestimate or provoke sources of concentrated power—spiritual (Brahmin), political-military (Kshatriya), or natural (serpent). Even when they appear weak, their retaliatory capacity can be devastating; therefore, prudent respect and careful conduct are advised.
In Bhishma’s instruction on conduct and prudence, he uses a graded comparison: a snake harms within its sight, a Kshatriya within the reach of his prowess, and a Brahmin—through ascetic-spiritual potency—can ruin an offender’s lineage by resolve. The point is to counsel restraint and respectful behavior toward these potent beings.