Shloka 15
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
इतस्त्रियोजनं गत्वा राक्षसाधिपतिर्महान् | विरूपाक्ष इति ख्यात: सखा मम महाबल:
itastriyojanaṃ gatvā rākṣasādhipatir mahān | virūpākṣa iti khyātaḥ sakhā mama mahābalaḥ ||
ភីෂ្មៈបានមានព្រះបន្ទូលថា៖ «ពីទីនេះទៅ ដើរបីយោជន៍ នឹងមានអធិរាជរបស់រាក្សសដ៏មហិមា មហាបល ឈ្មោះល្បីថា វិរូបាក្ស—មិត្តដ៏ខ្លាំងក្លារបស់ខ្ញុំ»។
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights pragmatic statecraft within a dharmic frame: knowing who holds power nearby and recognizing alliances (even with formidable beings) can be crucial for protection, negotiation, and maintaining order.
Bhīṣma gives a directional, concrete detail—three yojanas from the present location—pointing out a powerful Rākṣasa ruler named Virūpākṣa and identifying him as Bhīṣma’s strong ally.