Shloka 38
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
न ब्राह्मणान् परिवदेन्नक्षत्राणि न निर्दिशेत् । तिथिं पक्षस्य न ब्रूयात् तथास्यायुर्न रिष्यते
na brāhmaṇān parivaden nakṣatrāṇi na nirdiśet | tithiṁ pakṣasya na brūyāt tathāsyāyur na riṣyate ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: “Janganlah mencela para Brāhmaṇa. Jangan pula berjalan dari rumah ke rumah untuk menunjuk-nunjuk nakṣatra, atau mengumumkan tithi bagi sesuatu pakṣa. Dengan menjauhi amalan demikian, usia seseorang tidak berkurang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Guard one’s speech and conduct: avoid slandering Brāhmaṇas and avoid making a public trade of calendrical/astrological announcements (nakṣatra and tithi). Such restraint is presented as conducive to preserving one’s lifespan.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper behavior. Here he gives a specific rule of conduct concerning respectful speech and refraining from certain public proclamations, linking ethical restraint with well-being and longevity.