Shloka 8
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
भोजनके बाद हाथ धोकर उठे। रातको भीगे पैर न सोये। देवर्षि नारद इसीको सदाचारका लक्षण कहते हैं ।।
śuciṁ deśam anaḍvāhaṁ devagoṣṭhaṁ catuṣpatham | brāhmaṇaṁ dhārmikaṁ caityaṁ nityaṁ kuryāt pradakṣiṇam ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Dapat laging magsagawa ng pradakṣiṇā—ang pag-ikot na may paggalang na ang iginagalang ay nasa kanang panig—sa isang malinis at banal na pook, sa isang torong baka, sa nasasakupan ng mga diyos, sa sangandaan, sa isang Brahmin, sa taong matuwid, at sa caitya (banal na punò o dambanang kaugnay ng diyos). Itinuturo ito bilang tanda ng mabuting asal: matapos kumain, maghugas ng kamay at tumindig; at sa gabi, huwag matulog na basa ang mga paa. Sa buhay ng maybahay, itinuturing ding pinakamainam na ipaghanda ng iisang uri ng pagkain ang mga panauhin, mga tagapaglingkod, at ang sariling pamilya—nang walang pagtatangi.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches sadācāra (good conduct): maintain bodily cleanliness (wash after eating; avoid sleeping with wet feet), show reverence through pradakṣiṇā (keeping the revered on one’s right), and practice fairness in household hospitality by providing the same food to guests, servants, and family.
In Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he lists everyday ethical and ritual behaviors—acts of cleanliness, respectful movement around sacred persons/places, and equitable treatment within the household—presented as markers of civilized, dharmic life.