Shloka 40
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
अधृष्य: सर्वभूतानामायुष्मान् नीरुज: सदा । भवत्यभक्षयन् मांसं दयावान् प्राणिनामिह
adhṛṣyaḥ sarvabhūtānām āyuṣmān nīrujaḥ sadā | bhavaty abhakṣayan māṁsaṁ dayāvān prāṇinām iha ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Aquele que não come carne e tem compaixão por todos os seres neste mundo torna-se inatingível e não é desprezado pelas criaturas; permanece sempre longevo e livre de enfermidades.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Refraining from eating meat and cultivating compassion toward all living beings is presented as a dharmic discipline that brings social non-hostility (others do not despise or attack such a person) and personal benefits like longevity and freedom from illness.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct. Here he emphasizes non-violence expressed through diet and kindness to creatures, describing the auspicious results of such conduct.