Shloka 27
अहिंसयित्वा ब्रह्महत्याविधानम् / Brahmahatyā incurred without physical violence
युधिष्ठिने पूछा-पितामह! मनुष्य किस समय धर्मका आचरण करे? कब अर्थोपार्जनमें लगे तथा किस समय सुखभोगमें प्रवृत्त हो? यह मुझे बताइये ।।
Bhīṣma uvāca: kalyam arthaṃ niṣeveta tato dharmam anantaram | paścāt kāmaṃ niṣeveta na ca gacchet prasaṅgitām ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai raja, terlebih dahulu hendaklah engkau menumpukan diri pada perolehan harta pada waktunya; kemudian, tanpa berlengah, amalkan dharma; dan hanya selepas itu barulah mengecap kāma (kenikmatan). Namun janganlah tergelincir ke dalam keterikatan dan ketagihan pada kenikmatan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches a disciplined sequencing of human aims: secure one’s livelihood (artha) in a timely way, then practice dharma, and only then enjoy pleasures (kama), while avoiding addiction or over-attachment to pleasure.
In the Anushasana Parva, Yudhishthira asks Bhishma about proper timing for dharma, wealth-seeking, and enjoyment. Bhishma responds with a practical ethical schedule and a warning against becoming entangled in sensual indulgence.