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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。定めの時に日々火供(ホーマ)を修し、妻にはその受胎の季節にのみ近づき、他の女に目を向けぬ賢者は、家住者でありながらもブラフマチャーリン(梵行者)のごとく生きる者と見なされる—戒めを守り、欲を制し、ダルマに忠実なのである。
भीष्म उवाच
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.