Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 42
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
तस्मिन्नहनि मन्यन्ते परिहार्य हि मैथुनम् । शुचिना तु सदा श्राद्धं भोक्तव्यं खेचरोत्तम
tasminnahani manyante parihārya hi maithunam | śucinā tu sadā śrāddhaṃ bhoktavyaṃ khecarottama ||
“Sa araw na iyon, itinuturing nilang ang pakikipagtalik ay tunay na dapat iwasan. At ang sinumang nalinis (sa pamamagitan ng pagligo at iba pa) ay dapat laging kumain ng handa ng śrāddha. O pinakamainam sa mga naglalakbay sa himpapawid!”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches ritual discipline on the day of śrāddha: abstain from sexual intercourse and maintain purity; the śrāddha meal should be taken only after purification, reflecting reverence for the ancestors and the sanctity of the rite.
A divine messenger (Devadūta) is speaking, laying down conduct connected with śrāddha observance—specifically, the household’s restraint and the Brahmin’s purified participation in the śrāddha meal—framed as authoritative guidance on proper ritual behavior.