Shloka 166

Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)

Devanagari script

तस्य भार्या रुचिनाम रूपेणासदृशी भुवि । पहलेकी बात है, देवशर्मा नामके एक महा-भाग्यशाली ऋषि थे। उनके रुचि नामवाली एक स्त्री थी जो इस पृथ्वीपर अद्वितीय सुन्दरी थी

Transliteration

tasya bhāryā rucinām rūpeṇāsadṛśī bhuvi |

Translation

Bhishma said: “His wife, named Rucī, was unmatched in beauty upon the earth.” The narrative introduces an exemplary household setting—where outward excellence (beauty, fortune) becomes the backdrop for later ethical reflection on conduct, restraint, and dharma within family life.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him / his
• तस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• भार्या: wife
• भार्या: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• रुचिनाम: of the names/namings ‘Ruchi’ (lit. “of the tastes/likings”); intended: ‘named Ruchi’
• रुचिनाम: Sambandha
• Type: Noun (proper name)
• Root: रुचि
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

• रूपेण: by/with (her) beauty; in appearance
• रूपेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• असदृशी: unequalled, incomparable
• असदृशी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असदृश
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• भुवि: on earth
• भुवि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Rucī (Rucinām)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse itself is descriptive, but it sets up a common Mahābhārata ethical pattern: extraordinary external qualities (beauty, fortune) are introduced to frame later instruction on inner virtues—self-control, fidelity, and dharma in household life.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma begins (or continues) a story by describing a man’s wife, Rucī, emphasizing that she is unparalleled in beauty on earth—an introductory detail that prepares the listener for subsequent events and moral evaluation.