Shloka 11
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
होमकाले तथा जुद्वन्नतुकाले तथा व्रजन् । अनन्यस्त्रीजन: प्राज्ञो ब्रह्मचारी तथा भवेत्
homakāle tathā yudvan ṛtukāle tathā vrajan | ananyastrījanaḥ prājño brahmacārī tathā bhavet ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: Seorang bijaksana yang melakukan persembahan api harian (homa) pada waktunya, mendekati isterinya hanya pada musim suburnya, dan tidak pernah memalingkan pandangan kepada wanita lain, hendaklah dianggap hidup seperti seorang brahmacārin—berdisiplin, menahan diri, dan setia kepada dharma walaupun tetap sebagai grihastha.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brahmacarya is presented not only as literal celibacy but as disciplined conduct: regular performance of sacred duties, conjugal relations confined to dharmically permitted times, and unwavering fidelity—no pursuit of other women. Such restraint makes a householder comparable to a brahmacārin in ethical stature.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira standards of self-control for householders. He defines a model of restrained domestic life—ritual regularity and sexual moderation—framing it as brahmacarya-like discipline within gṛhastha life.