Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
ऋषिरासीन्महा भागो देवशर्मेति विश्रुत:
ṛṣir āsīn mahābhāgo devaśarmeti viśrutaḥ
Bhīṣma disse: «Outrora viveu um grande e afortunado sábio, célebre pelo nome de Devaśarman.»
भीष्म उवाच
The verse introduces an exemplary figure—a renowned sage—signaling that ethical instruction is often conveyed through the lives and reputations of the virtuous, whose conduct becomes a model for dharma.
Bhīṣma begins a didactic account by presenting the protagonist: a famous and illustrious ṛṣi named Devaśarman, setting the stage for the lesson that follows.