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 dijo: Así interpelado, Vipula—asceta de sentidos disciplinados—aceptó la enseñanza y respondió: «Así sea». Dotado de un fulgor semejante al del fuego y el sol, firme en austeridades severas y consagrado al dharma y a la verdad, consintió en el mandato de su maestro. Luego, cuando el preceptor estaba por partir, Vipula volvió a preguntarle de este modo.

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.