Shloka 13
आचारप्रशंसा
Praise of Ācāra as the Basis of Longevity, Fame, and Prosperity
सर्वलक्षणहीनो5पि समुदाचारवान् नर: । श्रद्दधानोडनसूयुश्च॒ शतं वर्षाणि जीवति
sarvalakṣaṇahīno 'pi sadācāravān naraḥ | śraddadhāno 'nasūyuś ca śataṁ varṣāṇi jīvati ||
بھیشم نے کہا—اگرچہ کسی شخص میں تمام مبارک ظاہری نشانیاں نہ ہوں، لیکن جو نیک چلن، صاحبِ ایمان اور عیب جوئی و حسد سے پاک ہو—وہ سو برس جیتا ہے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External auspicious signs are secondary; a life rooted in good conduct (sadācāra), faith (śraddhā), and freedom from envy or fault-finding (anasūyā) is presented as the true basis for a full, long life.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues his instruction on dharma, highlighting practical virtues. Here he contrasts physiognomic ‘marks’ with inner qualities, asserting that moral character and a non-malicious attitude outweigh outward indicators.