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 ||
மாமிசம் உண்ணாதவனும், இவ்வுலகில் உயிர்கள்மேல் கருணை கொண்டவனும்—அவன் எல்லா உயிர்களாலும் அசைக்க முடியாதவனாகி, நீண்ட ஆயுளும் என்றும் நோயற்ற நிலையுமடைவான்।
भीष्म उवाच
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.