Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
ऑपन-माज बक। अपि्-छऋाज > यज्ञकर्ता पुरुष 'शम्या' नामक एक काठका डंडा खूब जोर लगाकर फेंकता है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śatāyur uktaḥ puruṣaḥ śatavīryaś ca jāyate | kasmān mriyante puruṣā bālā api pitāmaha ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Lolo, sinasabi ng mga kasulatan na ang tao’y itinakdang mabuhay nang sandaang taon at isinisilang na may lakas na makasandaan. Ngunit nakikita natin na marami ang namamatay kahit sa pagkabata. Ano ang dahilan nito?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry into the apparent gap between scriptural ideals (a full hundred-year life with vigor) and lived reality (premature death), preparing for an explanation in terms of causes such as karma, conduct, and other determining factors discussed by Bhīṣma.
In the Anuśāsana-parvan instruction sequence, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions Bhīṣma about why many humans die in childhood despite scriptural statements about a hundred-year lifespan.