Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 24
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
पुरीषमूत्रे नोदीक्षेत्राधितिषछ्ठेत् कदाचन । नातिकल्यं नातिसायं न च मध्यन्दिने स्थिते
purīṣamūtre nodīkṣetrādhitiṣṭhet kadācana | nātikalyam nātisāyaṃ na ca madhyandine sthite ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Nunca se deve sentar ou permanecer num lugar sujo de fezes ou urina. Nem se deve fazê-lo em hora imprópria: nem cedo demais pela manhã, nem tarde demais ao entardecer, nem ao meio-dia.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain śauca (purity) and disciplined conduct: avoid defiling places and observe proper times and decorum in one’s bodily routines, since external cleanliness and regulated habits support inner steadiness and dharmic life.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct (ācāra). This verse is part of practical guidance on cleanliness and appropriate timing in daily behavior.