Shloka 50
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
परस्त्रियं नाभिलषेद् वाचाथ मनसापि वा । अनृतं च न भाषेत मातापित्रो: कृतेपि वा
parastriyaṁ nābhilaṣed vā cātha manasāpi vā | anṛtaṁ ca na bhāṣeta mātāpitroḥ kṛte 'pi vā ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Huwag pagnasaan ang asawa ng iba—sa salita man o kahit sa isip. At huwag magsinungaling, kahit pa para sa kapakanan ng sariling ama at ina. Ipinapakita ng aral na ito na ang pagpipigil sa loob at ang katotohanan ang saligang disiplina ng dharma, at ang pananagutang moral ay umaabot mula sa panlabas na gawa hanggang sa mismong layon ng kalooban.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Two restraints are emphasized: (1) do not covet another’s wife, not even mentally or through suggestive speech; (2) do not speak falsehood, even when motivated by filial loyalty. Dharma requires purity of intention and unwavering commitment to truth.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. This verse is part of Bhīṣma’s ethical counsel, laying down personal conduct rules that govern desire and speech.