Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 8
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
दुराचारी पुरुष, जिससे समस्त प्राणी डरते और तिरस्कृत होते हैं, इस संसारमें बड़ी आयु नहीं पाता ।।
tasmāt kuryād ihācāraṃ yadīcched bhūtim ātmanaḥ | api pāpaśarīrasya ācāro hanty alakṣaṇam ||
Itinuro ni Bhishma na ang taong masama ang asal—kinatatakutan at kinamumuhian ng lahat ng nilalang—ay hindi nakakamit ng mahabang buhay sa daigdig na ito. Kaya kung ninanais ng sinuman ang sariling kapakanan at kasaganaan, dapat niyang isabuhay ang wastong pag-uugali rito. Kahit ang taong wari’y ang buong katawan ay nilulunod ng kasalanan, ang disiplinadong mabuting asal ay nakapupuksa ng masasamang palatandaan at nakapipigil sa masasamang hilig ng katawan at isip.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right conduct (ācāra) is presented as the practical foundation of dharma: it brings welfare and longevity, and it can even neutralize inauspicious traits in a person burdened by sin by restraining harmful tendencies.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma. Here he emphasizes ethical discipline as a transformative force, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the benefits of practicing good conduct.