Shloka 18
Gārhasthya-Śreṣṭhatā and Kṣatriya-Daṇḍadhāraṇa
Householder Primacy and the Royal Duty of Punishment
व्यास उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । शंखक्ष लिखितश्षास्तां भ्रातरौ संशितव्रतो,व्यासजीने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! इस विषयमें लोग इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं--शंख और लिखित नामवाले दो भाई थे। दोनों ही कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले तपस्वी थे
vyāsa uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | śaṅkhaś ca likhitaś ca āstāṃ bhrātarau saṃśitavratau |
Vyāsa berkata: “Dalam hal ini juga, orang ramai menyebut suatu teladan purba. Dahulu ada dua bersaudara, Śaṅkha dan Likhita—para pertapa yang berdisiplin teguh, kukuh memegang nazar.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral reasoning in dharma is often clarified through established precedents (itihāsa). The verse introduces a didactic story in which strict observance of vows and ethical accountability will be illustrated through the example of two disciplined brothers.
Vyāsa begins an illustrative tale, telling Yudhiṣṭhira that people commonly cite an ancient story. He introduces the main figures—two ascetic brothers named Śaṅkha and Likhita—setting the stage for the ethical episode that follows.