Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 30
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
अष्टम्यां सर्वपक्षाणां ब्रह्मचारी सदा भवेत् | आक्रोशं परिवादं च पैशुन्यं च विवर्जयेत्
aṣṭamyāṃ sarvapakṣāṇāṃ brahmacārī sadā bhavet | ākrośaṃ parivādaṃ ca paiśunyaṃ ca vivarjayet |
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Sa araw ng aṣṭamī (ika-8) sa dalawang kalahating buwan, dapat laging panatilihin ang brahmacarya (pagpipigil sa pakikipagtalik). Dapat ding umiwas sa mapanlait na pananalita, paninirang-puri, at pagdadala ng tsismis.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches disciplined conduct on sacred lunar days—especially Aṣṭamī in both fortnights—by maintaining brahmacarya and practicing ethical speech: avoiding abuse, defamation, and malicious gossip.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues his instruction on dharma and proper conduct, prescribing specific observances (vratas) and moral restraints, here focusing on celibacy/sexual restraint and purity of speech.