Shloka 11
वृथादारान् न गच्छन्ति वृथामांसं न भुञ्जते । दीप्तमन्निं जुह्बते च गुरूणां वचने स्थिता:
vṛthādārān na gacchanti vṛthāmāṁsaṁ na bhuñjate | dīptam agniṁ juhvate ca gurūṇāṁ vacane sthitāḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Mereka tidak bergaul dengan perempuan di luar perkahwinan yang sah; mereka tidak memakan daging, kerana menganggapnya sia-sia; mereka mempersembahkan persembahan suci ke dalam api suci yang menyala-nyala; dan mereka tetap teguh mentaati perintah para tua-tua serta guru.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises disciplined conduct: sexual restraint within dharma, avoidance of needless harm/indulgence (here framed as abstaining from meat), regular performance of sacrificial duty, and faithful adherence to the guidance of gurus and elders.
Bhīṣma is describing the exemplary practices of righteous, disciplined people—highlighting their controlled senses, ritual commitment, and deference to authoritative instruction as marks of dhārmic life.