Shloka 2
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
अन्न ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् । यथा रक्षा कृता पूर्व विपुलेन महात्मना
anna te vartayiṣyāmi itihāsaṃ purātanam | yathā rakṣā kṛtā pūrvaṃ vipulena mahātmanā ||
Bhishma said: “O dear one, I shall recount to you an ancient legend—how, in former times, the great-souled Vipula safeguarded a woman, his teacher’s wife. Listen to the manner in which protection was rightly undertaken, as an example of dharma in action.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is shown through protective responsibility and self-restraint: a noble person safeguards the vulnerable—especially the guru’s household—without selfish motive, treating protection as a sacred duty.
Bhishma introduces an old exemplary tale. He tells the listener that he will narrate how Vipula, renowned for virtue, once protected his teacher’s wife, setting up a moral illustration for the discussion that follows.