Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 88
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
पृथगेवानुलिम्पेत केसरेण च बुद्धिमान् । बुद्धिमान् पुरुष राई, चन्दन, बिल्व, तगर तथा केसरके द्वारा पृथक्ू-पृथक् अपने शरीरमें उबटन लगावे ।। उपवासं च कुर्वीत स्नात: शुचिरलंकृत:
pṛthag evānulimpeta kesareṇa ca buddhimān | candanena bilvena tagareṇa tathā kesareṇa pṛthak pṛthak śarīre ’nubandhanaṃ kuryāt || upavāsaṃ ca kurvīta snātaḥ śuciḥ alaṅkṛtaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Ang marunong ay dapat magpahid sa katawan ng mga mababangong sangkap, bawat isa’y hiwalay at ayon sa wastong paraan—gaya ng kesar (saffron), sandalwood, bilva, tagara, at iba pa. Pagkaligo, manatiling malinis at maayos ang bihis, at magsagawa rin ng pag-aayuno.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes disciplined ācāra: bodily cleanliness (bathing), ritual purity, measured adornment, and fasting. These outward practices are presented as supports for inner restraint and dharmic living.
Within Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma in the Anuśāsana Parva, he gives practical guidance on preparatory observances—anointing with specific fragrant substances, then maintaining purity and undertaking a fast—typical of ritual or vow-related conduct.