Shloka 100
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
सदा द्वादशमासांस्तु मिताहारो जितेन्द्रिय: । वायोरुशनसश्लैव रुद्रलोक॑ च गच्छति
sadā dvādaśa-māsāṁs tu mitāhāro jitendriyaḥ | vāyor uśanasaś caiva rudra-lokaṁ ca gacchati ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Aquele que, por doze meses completos, pratica constantemente a moderação no alimento e mantém os sentidos dominados alcança destinos sublimes após a morte: chega ao reino de Vāyu, à esfera associada a Uśanas (Śukra) e também ao mundo de Rudra.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustained self-discipline—especially moderation in eating (mitāhāra) and mastery over the senses (jitendriya)—is presented as a powerful dharmic practice that yields elevated spiritual results and auspicious posthumous attainments.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and conduct. Here he states the merit gained by a year-long regimen of controlled diet and sense-restraint, describing the lofty realms such a practitioner is said to reach.