मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
यस्तु कल्यं तथा सायं भुञज्जानो नान्तरा पिबेत्
bhīṣma uvāca | yastu kalyaṃ tathā sāyaṃ bhuñjāno nāntarā pibet, ahiṃsāparāyaṇaḥ san nityam agnihotraṃ juhuyāt, tasya ṣaḍbhir varṣaiḥ siddhiḥ prāpyate—atra na saṃśayaḥ |
Disse Bhīṣma: Aquele que come apenas ao amanhecer e ao entardecer, e não bebe nem mesmo água entre esses momentos, e que permanece firme na não violência enquanto realiza diariamente o Agnihotra, alcança a realização espiritual em seis anos—disso não há dúvida.
भीष्म उवाच
Strict regulation of food and drink, combined with unwavering non-violence and daily Agnihotra, is presented as a powerful dharmic discipline that quickly yields spiritual accomplishment.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing on dharma and vows; here he describes a specific regimen—eating only morning and evening, abstaining from drinking between, practicing ahimsa, and maintaining the daily fire-offering—and declares its assured result.