Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
तस्मादनशनैरयुक्तो विप्रान् पूजय नित्यदा । विप्राणां वचनात् सर्व परत्रेह च सिध्यति
tasmād anaśanair ayukto viprān pūjaya nityadā | viprāṇāṁ vacanāt sarvaṁ paratreha ca sidhyati ||
Oleh itu, dengan disiplin berpuasa dan menahan diri, sentiasalah memuliakan para brāhmaṇa. Dengan menurut nasihat brāhmaṇa, segala sesuatu terlaksana—baik di dunia ini mahupun di dunia yang akan datang.
भीष्म उवाच
Bhīṣma teaches that disciplined self-restraint (including fasting) should be paired with continual reverence toward learned brāhmaṇas, and that following their righteous counsel leads to success and welfare both in this life and after death.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and right conduct, emphasizing practices that secure prosperity and spiritual merit—here, honoring brāhmaṇas and acting according to their guidance.