Shloka 50
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
परस्त्रियं नाभिलषेद् वाचाथ मनसापि वा । अनृतं च न भाषेत मातापित्रो: कृतेपि वा
parastriyaṁ nābhilaṣed vā cātha manasāpi vā | anṛtaṁ ca na bhāṣeta mātāpitroḥ kṛte 'pi vā ||
ビーシュマは語った。他人の妻を欲してはならぬ—言葉によっても、まして心のうちにおいてさえも。さらに、偽りを語ってはならぬ—たとえ父母のためであっても。ここに説かれるのは、内なる自制と真実がダルマの根本の修行であり、道徳の責めは外の行いにとどまらず、意図そのものにまで及ぶということである。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Two restraints are emphasized: (1) do not covet another’s wife, not even mentally or through suggestive speech; (2) do not speak falsehood, even when motivated by filial loyalty. Dharma requires purity of intention and unwavering commitment to truth.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. This verse is part of Bhīṣma’s ethical counsel, laying down personal conduct rules that govern desire and speech.