Shloka 8
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
भोजनके बाद हाथ धोकर उठे। रातको भीगे पैर न सोये। देवर्षि नारद इसीको सदाचारका लक्षण कहते हैं ।।
śuciṁ deśam anaḍvāhaṁ devagoṣṭhaṁ catuṣpatham | brāhmaṇaṁ dhārmikaṁ caityaṁ nityaṁ kuryāt pradakṣiṇam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「清浄にして聖なる場所、牡牛、神々の境内、辻、バラモン、義なる人、そしてチャイティヤ（神に結びつく聖樹または祠）に対しては、常に右繞（プラダクシナー）—敬って右に置きつつ巡ること—を行うべきである。天仙聖者ナーラダはこれを善き作法の徴と説く。食後は手を洗って席を立ち、夜は足を濡らしたまま眠ってはならない。家住者の道においても、客人・召使い・身内に同じ食を調え、偏りなく分かち合うことが最上とされる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches sadācāra (good conduct): maintain bodily cleanliness (wash after eating; avoid sleeping with wet feet), show reverence through pradakṣiṇā (keeping the revered on one’s right), and practice fairness in household hospitality by providing the same food to guests, servants, and family.
In Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he lists everyday ethical and ritual behaviors—acts of cleanliness, respectful movement around sacred persons/places, and equitable treatment within the household—presented as markers of civilized, dharmic life.