Shloka 12
Adhyāya 214: Tapas Redefined—Perpetual Discipline, Hospitality, and the Ethics of Eating (तपः-निरूपणम्, विघसाशी-अतिथिप्रिय-धर्मः)
योषितां न कथा क्षाव्या न निरीक्ष्या निरम्बरा: । कथज्वचिद् दर्शनादासां दुर्बलानां विशेद्रज:
yoṣitāṁ na kathā kṣāvyā na nirīkṣyā nirambarāḥ | kathañcid darśanād āsāṁ durbalānāṁ viśed rajaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Huwag magpakalunod sa usapan tungkol sa kababaihan, at huwag silang pagmasdan kapag sila’y walang saplot. Sapagkat kung sakaling makita sila sa kalagayang hubad, ang rajas—pagnanasa at pagkakapit—ay pumapasok sa isip ng mga lalaking mahina ang pagpipigil sa sarili.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse advises restraint of speech and sight: avoid prurient discussion and avoid gazing at nudity, because such stimuli can awaken rajas—desire and attachment—especially in those with weak self-mastery.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is giving ethical guidance to Yudhishthira on conduct and discipline, emphasizing control of the senses and guarding the mind from triggers of passion.