Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 110
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
कुरुनन्दन! अब ब्राह्मणके लिये भोजनके आदि और अन्तमें जो पवित्र एवं हितकारक शुद्धिका विधान है, उसे बता रहा हूँ, सुनो
Kurunandana! adhunā brāhmaṇasya bhojanasyādau ca ante ca yaḥ pavitraḥ hitakaraś ca śuddhikā-vidhiḥ, taṃ te kathayiṣyāmi; śṛṇu.
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O ligaya ng angkan ng Kuru, makinig ka. Ngayon ay ilalarawan ko para sa isang Brahmana ang dalisay at kapaki-pakinabang na ritwal ng paglilinis na dapat isagawa sa simula at sa wakas ng pagkain.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma introduces the dharmic principle that eating is not merely physical nourishment but a regulated act requiring purity and mindfulness; therefore, a Brahmin should observe prescribed purificatory practices at the start and end of a meal for spiritual and ethical well-being.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhisthira. Here he transitions to a specific topic—rules of purification connected with meals for Brahmins—and signals that he will explain the procedure, asking Yudhisthira to listen.