Shloka 12
Adhyāya 214: Tapas Redefined—Perpetual Discipline, Hospitality, and the Ethics of Eating (तपः-निरूपणम्, विघसाशी-अतिथिप्रिय-धर्मः)
योषितां न कथा क्षाव्या न निरीक्ष्या निरम्बरा: । कथज्वचिद् दर्शनादासां दुर्बलानां विशेद्रज:
yoṣitāṁ na kathā kṣāvyā na nirīkṣyā nirambarāḥ | kathañcid darśanād āsāṁ durbalānāṁ viśed rajaḥ ||
योषितां न कथा श्राव्या न निरीक्ष्या निरम्बरा: । कथञ्चिद् दर्शनादासां दुर्बलानां विशेद् रजः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse advises restraint of speech and sight: avoid prurient discussion and avoid gazing at nudity, because such stimuli can awaken rajas—desire and attachment—especially in those with weak self-mastery.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is giving ethical guidance to Yudhishthira on conduct and discipline, emphasizing control of the senses and guarding the mind from triggers of passion.