Shloka 166
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
तस्य भार्या रुचिनाम रूपेणासदृशी भुवि । पहलेकी बात है, देवशर्मा नामके एक महा-भाग्यशाली ऋषि थे। उनके रुचि नामवाली एक स्त्री थी जो इस पृथ्वीपर अद्वितीय सुन्दरी थी
tasya bhāryā rucinām rūpeṇāsadṛśī bhuvi |
Bhishma berkata: “Istrinya bernama Ruci; dalam keelokan ia tiada banding di muka bumi. Dahulu ada seorang resi yang sangat beruntung bernama Devasarma; istrinya, Ruci, adalah jelita yang tiada duanya di dunia ini.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself is descriptive, but it sets up a common Mahābhārata ethical pattern: extraordinary external qualities (beauty, fortune) are introduced to frame later instruction on inner virtues—self-control, fidelity, and dharma in household life.
Bhīṣma begins (or continues) a story by describing a man’s wife, Rucī, emphasizing that she is unparalleled in beauty on earth—an introductory detail that prepares the listener for subsequent events and moral evaluation.