Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तो विपुलस्तेन तपस्वी नियतेन्द्रिय:

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | ity ukto vipulas tena tapasvī niyatendriyaḥ |

Translation

Bhishma said: Thus addressed, Vipula—an ascetic of disciplined senses—accepted the instruction, replying, “So be it.” Radiant like fire and the sun, steadfast in severe austerities, and devoted to dharma and truth, he consented to his teacher’s command. Then, as the preceptor was about to depart, Vipula again questioned him in this manner.

Word by Word

• भीष्मः: Bhishma
• भीष्मः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Perfect (Paroksha-bhuta), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

• उक्तः: having been told / addressed
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Past passive participle (kta), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• विपुलः: Vipula
• विपुलः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपुल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तेन: by him (by that person)
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• तपस्वी: ascetic
• तपस्वी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नियत-इन्द्रियः: one whose senses are restrained
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Vipula
• Guru (preceptor/teacher)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical ideal of disciplined self-control (niyatendriya), truthfulness, and readiness to follow a teacher’s rightful instruction, while also valuing thoughtful inquiry—Vipula obeys, yet seeks clarification at the proper moment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes Vipula being instructed by his teacher; Vipula accepts the command. As the teacher prepares to leave, Vipula asks another question, indicating the continuation of a guru-disciple dialogue.