Shloka 2
Vetasa-Nīti: The Reed and the Flood (वेतस-नीति)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । सरितां चैव संवादं सागरस्यथ च भारत
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | saritāṃ caiva saṃvādaṃ sāgarasyātha ca bhārata ||
Bhishma said: “Here too, O Bharata, the wise cite an ancient precedent—an old narrative in the form of a dialogue between the rivers and the Ocean.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames his instruction by invoking an authoritative ancient exemplum (itihāsa): ethical guidance is strengthened by precedent and traditional narratives, especially those illustrating principles through dialogue.
Bhishma tells Yudhiṣṭhira that, regarding the topic under discussion, learned people traditionally cite an old story—specifically a dialogue between the rivers and the Ocean—which he is about to recount.