Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 3
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। नहुषस्य च संवादमगस्त्यस्य भूगोस्तथा
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | nahuṣasya ca saṃvādam agastyasya bhṛgoḥ tathā ||
भीष्म बोले— राजन्! इस विषय में भी विद्वान लोग एक प्राचीन इतिहास का उदाहरण देते हैं—राजा नहुष का संवाद, तथा अगस्त्य और भृगु का भी।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical instruction is reinforced through authoritative precedents: Bhishma signals that the present dharma-point will be clarified by an ancient exemplary narrative (itihasa) centered on dialogues involving a king (Nahusha) and revered sages (Agastya, Bhrigu).
Bhishma transitions into an illustrative story: he tells the king that knowledgeable people cite an old historical example, introducing forthcoming dialogues connected with King Nahusha and with the sages Agastya and Bhrigu.