Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
त्वां हि राज्ये स्थितं स्फीते समग्राड्रमरोगिणम् । स्त्रीसहस्रै: परिवृतं पश्यामीवोर्ध्वरेतसम्
tvāṃ hi rājye sthitaṃ sphīte samagrāḍramarogiṇam | strīsahasraiḥ parivṛtaṃ paśyāmīvōrdhvaretasam ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「私は汝が栄えある王国に確かに立ち、身は欠けるところなく病もなく、幾千の女人に囲まれているのを見ている。しかれどもなお、私は汝を“ウールドゥヴァレータ(ūrdhvareta)”—破れぬ梵行に堅く住する者—として見ている。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
True dharma is shown as inner mastery: even with health, wealth, sovereignty, and constant access to pleasure, a person can remain disciplined and restrained (ūrdhvaretas), demonstrating that virtue depends on self-governance rather than external conditions.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a royal figure, describing his prosperous rule and the presence of many women around him, yet praising (or marveling at) his continued celibate-like restraint—setting up a discussion on ethical conduct and self-control within worldly life.