Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 38
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
न ब्राह्मणान् परिवदेन्नक्षत्राणि न निर्दिशेत् । तिथिं पक्षस्य न ब्रूयात् तथास्यायुर्न रिष्यते
na brāhmaṇān parivaden nakṣatrāṇi na nirdiśet | tithiṁ pakṣasya na brūyāt tathāsyāyur na riṣyate ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Huwag magsalita ng masama laban sa mga Brāhmaṇa. Huwag ding maglibot sa mga bahay-bahay upang ituro ang mga nakṣatra, ni ipahayag ang tithi ng isang kalahating buwan. Sa pag-iwas sa mga gawang ito, hindi nababawasan ang haba ng buhay ng tao.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Guard one’s speech and conduct: avoid slandering Brāhmaṇas and avoid making a public trade of calendrical/astrological announcements (nakṣatra and tithi). Such restraint is presented as conducive to preserving one’s lifespan.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper behavior. Here he gives a specific rule of conduct concerning respectful speech and refraining from certain public proclamations, linking ethical restraint with well-being and longevity.