Shloka 25
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
सदैवोग्रतपा राजन्नग्न्यर्कसदृशद्युति: । धर्मज्ञ: सत्यवादी च तथेति प्रत्यभाषत । पुनश्चेद॑ं महाराज पप्रच्छ प्रस्थितं गुरुम्
bhīṣma uvāca |
sadaivogratapā rājann agny-arka-sadṛśa-dyutiḥ |
dharmajñaḥ satyavādī ca tatheti pratyabhāṣata |
punaś cedam mahārāja papraccha prasthitaṃ gurum ||
Bhishma said: “O King, ever engaged in severe austerities, radiant like fire and the sun, a knower of dharma and a speaker of truth, Vipula replied, ‘So be it,’ accepting his teacher’s command. Then, O great king, as the guru was about to depart, Vipula again questioned him in this manner.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical character through disciplined austerity, truthfulness, and dharma-knowledge, and it frames the ideal disciple as one who accepts the guru’s instruction without resistance while still seeking clarity through respectful questioning.
Bhishma narrates that Vipula, described as radiant and ascetic, agrees to his teacher’s directive (“so be it”). As the teacher is about to leave, Vipula asks an additional question, setting up the next part of the episode.