Shloka 11
Varṇāśrama-ācāra and Vikarma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry on Safe Dharmas (शिवधर्मप्रश्नः)
स्वदारतुष्टस्त्वृुतुकालगामी नियोगसेवी न शठो न जिद्दः । मिताशनो देवरत: कृतज्ञः सत्यो मृदुश्चानृशंस: क्षमावान्
svadāra-tuṣṭas tv ṛtukāla-gāmī niyoga-sevī na śaṭho na jihmaḥ | mitāśano devarataḥ kṛtajñaḥ satyo mṛduś cānṛśaṁsaḥ kṣamāvān ||
ビーシュマは言った。「家住の者は、ただ己が妻への愛に満ち足り、しかるべき時節にのみ彼女に近づくべきである。聖典の戒めに従い、欺きと曲がり心を離れよ。食は節し、神々の礼拝に励み、恩人には感謝を示し、真実を語り、万人に柔和であれ。決して残酷となるな、常に赦しの心を保て。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma outlines the ethical ideal of a gṛhastha: marital fidelity and regulated sexuality, obedience to śāstric duty, moderation in food, devotion to the gods, gratitude, truthfulness, gentleness, non-cruelty, and forgiveness—virtues that stabilize both household and society.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma after the war. Here he gives a concise list of qualities and disciplines expected of a righteous householder, presenting practical conduct rather than battlefield events.