Shloka 23
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
श्मश्रुकर्मणि सम्प्राप्ते क्षुते सनाने5डथ भोजने । व्याधितानां च सर्वेषामायुष्यमभिनन्दनम्
śmaśrukarmaṇi samprāpte kṣute snāne ’tha bhojane | vyādhitānāṃ ca sarveṣām āyuṣyam abhinandanam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Selepas bercukur (atau merapikan janggut), selepas bersin, selepas mandi, dan selepas menjamah makanan—demikian juga bagi semua yang ditimpa sakit—menjadi kewajipan yang menambah usia untuk menyampaikan salam hormat serta kata-kata baik (terutama kepada para Brāhmaṇa). Sapaan penuh takzim itu dipuji sebagai membawa umur panjang dan kesejahteraan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cultivating respectful greetings and salutations—particularly toward Brāhmaṇas—at key daily moments (after grooming, sneezing, bathing, and eating) is presented as dharmic conduct that supports health, auspiciousness, and longevity, even for the sick.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on righteous living and proper conduct. Here he lists everyday occasions and prescribes abhinandana (courteous salutations/blessings) as a beneficial observance tied to well-being and long life.