Shloka 40
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
क्रतावुपहिते न्यस्तं हवि: श्वेव दुरात्मवान् भगुश्रेष्ठ विपुल! इसलिये तुम यत्नपूर्वक इस तनुमध्यमा रुचिकी रक्षा करना जिससे दुरात्मा देवराज इन्द्र यज्ञमें रखे हुए हविष्यको चाटनेकी इच्छावाले कुत्तेकी भाँति मेरी पत्नी रुचिका स्पर्श न कर सके ।।
kratau upahite nyastaṃ haviḥ śva iva durātmavān bhaguśreṣṭha vipula! tasmāt tvaṃ yatnapūrvakaṃ etāṃ tanumadhyamāṃ rucikāṃ rakṣa, yena durātmā devarāja indraḥ yajñe nihitaṃ haviṣyaṃ leḍhum icchan śuna iva mām patnīṃ rucikāṃ na spraśet. evam ākhyāya sa muniḥ yajñakāryaḥ agamat tadā.
毘湿摩は言った。「おおヴィプラよ、ブリグ族の最勝者よ。供物（ハヴィス）が祭儀に据えられれば、邪なる者は犬のようにそれへ近づく。ゆえに細腰のルチカーを、慎み深い努力をもって守れ。邪心のインドラが—儀礼に供えられた供物を舐めようとする犬のごとく—わが妻ルチカーに触れぬように。」そう語り終えると、聖仙は祭儀の務めを果たすために赴いた。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma here emphasizes vigilant protection of what is entrusted—especially a spouse’s honor and safety—just as sacrificial offerings must be safeguarded from profanation. The simile of a dog licking the oblation underscores shameless, predatory desire and the need for disciplined guardianship.
A sage (in the Vipula episode) warns Vipula to guard Rucikā carefully, because Indra intends to approach her with wrongful intent, likened to a dog trying to lick the havis placed in a sacrifice. After giving this instruction, the sage departs to perform the ritual tasks.