Shloka 59
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
ततो विष्टभ्य विपुलो गुरुपत्न्या: कलेवरम् | उवास रक्षणे युक्तो न च सा तमबुद्ध्यत
tato viṣṭabhya vipulo gurupatnyāḥ kalevaram | uvāsa rakṣaṇe yukto na ca sā tam abuddhyata ||
Then Vipula, having supported and steadied the body of the guru’s wife, remained there intent on guarding her; and she did not recognize him (as the one protecting her).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma can require silent, disciplined guardianship: one should protect another’s well-being and moral safety with steadfastness, without craving recognition or personal gain.
Vipula physically supports the guru’s wife and remains stationed to guard her, fully focused on protection; she, however, does not recognize him as the protector.