Shloka 9
मोक्षधर्मः — स्नेहपाशच्छेदः
Mokṣa-dharma: Cutting the Bonds of Attachment
कोई अपने ऊपर धूल या कीचड़ फेंके तो मुमुक्षु पुरुष उससे आत्मरक्षामात्र करे। बदलेमें स्वयं भी वैसा ही न करे और न मुहसे कोई अप्रिय वचन ही निकाले। सर्वदा मृदुताका बर्ताव करे। किसीके प्रति कठोरता न करे। निश्चिन्त रहे और बहुत बढ़-बढ़कर बातें न बनाये ।।
dhūlaṁ vā paṅkaṁ vā yadi kaścid ātmany āvākiraty, mumukṣuḥ puruṣas tasmād ātmarakṣāmātraṁ kuryāt; pratyupakāreṇa svayaṁ tathā na kuryān na ca mukhāt kaścid apriyaṁ vacanaṁ niṣkārayet. sarvadā mṛdutayā vyavaharet; na kasyacit prati kāṭhinyam ācaret. niścintaḥ syāt, na ca bahu vardhayitvā vākyaṁ racayet. vidhūme nyastamusale vyapāre bhuktavajjane, atītapātrasañcāre bhikṣāṁ lipsed vai muniḥ.
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: Kapag may nagbato sa iyo ng alikabok o putik, ang naghahangad ng paglaya ay dapat gawin lamang ang kailangan upang ipagtanggol ang sarili. Huwag gumanti sa kaparehong paraan, at huwag magpalabas ng mabagsik o di-kaaya-ayang salita. Laging kumilos nang banayad, huwag maging matigas sa sinuman, manatiling panatag, at iwasan ang pagpapalabis at paghabà-habà ng usapan. Ang pantas na humihingi ng limos ay dapat lumapit para sa bhiksha kapag tapos na ang sambahayan sa pagluluto at pagkain—kapag huminto na ang usok, naibaba na ang pambayo na ginamit sa pagdurog ng butil at pampalasa, lumamig na ang apoy sa dapugan, nakakain na ang mga tao, at tumigil na ang paggalaw ng mga sisidlang panghain.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches non-retaliation and disciplined speech for a seeker of liberation: protect yourself if harmed, but do not repay harm with harm or harsh words; remain gentle, unagitated, and avoid inflated talk. It also prescribes considerate mendicancy—seeking alms only after the household’s cooking and eating are complete, minimizing disturbance and temptation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on the conduct of a mumukshu/ascetic. He outlines both inner discipline (patience, gentleness, restraint of speech) and an external rule of practice (the proper time to go for bhiksha, after the household has finished its meal and kitchen activity has ceased).