Shloka 2
Phala of Vrata, Niyama, Svādhyāya, Dama, Satya, Brahmacarya, and Service (व्रत-नियम-स्वाध्याय-दम-सत्य-ब्रह्मचर्य-शुश्रूषा-फलप्रश्नः)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । ऋषेरुद्दालकेर्वाक्यं नाचिकेतस्य चो भयो:,भीष्मजीने कहा--राजन्! इस विषयमें विज्ञ पुरुष उद्दालक ऋषि और नाचिकेत दोनोंके संवादरूप इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | ṛṣer uddālaker vākyaṃ nāciketasya ca ubhayoḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Here too, the learned cite an ancient tradition as an illustration—namely, the dialogue between the sage Uddālaka and Nāciketas, preserving the words of them both.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that ethical instruction is best grounded in authoritative precedent: he introduces an ancient exemplary narrative (itihāsa) and frames it as a reliable guide for dharma through the remembered words of revered speakers.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative episode, announcing that learned people cite an old account—specifically a dialogue involving the sage Uddālaka and Nāciketas—before proceeding to recount it.