Shloka 26
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
पानमक्षास्तथा नार्यो मृगया गीतवादितम् । एतानि युकक्त्या सेवेत प्रसंगो हृत्र दोषवान्
pānam akṣās tathā nāryo mṛgayā gīta-vāditam | etāni yuktyā seveta prasaṅgo hy atra doṣavān ||
ビーシュマは言った。「酒、賽（さい）による賭博、女、狩猟、そして器楽を伴う歌—これらには、見極めと節制をもってのみ関わるべきである。執着し、度を越えて没入すれば、過失と害の源となるからだ。ここでの倫理は世の楽しみを一切否定するのではなく、制御されぬ欲がそれらを没落の因へと変えることを戒めている。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly pleasures and entertainments become ethically dangerous when they turn into prasaṅga—clinging, obsession, or addiction. Bhīṣma advises measured, discerning engagement (yuktyā), emphasizing restraint over indulgence.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he lists common temptations—drink, gambling, sensual pursuit, hunting, and entertainment—and warns that excessive involvement in them leads to moral and practical harm.