Shloka 18
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
विशेषेण तु राजेन्द्र वत्रहा पाकशासन: । उसका रूप देखकर देवता, गन्धर्व और दानव भी मतवाले हो जाते थे। राजेन्द्र! वृत्रासुरका वध करनेवाले पाकशासन इन्द्र उस स्त्रीपर विशेषरूपसे आसक्त थे ।।
viśeṣeṇa tu rājendra vṛtrahā pākaśāsanaḥ | tasyā rūpaṃ dṛṣṭvā devatā gandharvāś ca dānavāś ca matta-bhāvam āpadyante sma | rājendra vṛtrāsura-vadha-kartā pākaśāsana indras tasyāṃ striyāṃ viśeṣata āsakta āsīt || nārīṇāṃ carita-jñaś ca devaśarmā mahāmuniḥ |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O hari na dakila, si Pākaśāsana Indra—ang pumatay kay Vṛtra—ay lalo’t higit na naakit sa babaeng iyon. Sa pagtanaw sa kanyang kagandahan, maging ang mga diyos, mga Gandharva, at mga Dānava ay nalalasing sa pagnanasa. Kaya, O pinakamainam sa mga hari, si Indra na bantog sa pagpaslang kay Vṛtrāsura ay malinaw na nahila ang loob sa kanya. At si Devaśarmā, ang dakilang muni, ay yaong nakauunawa sa mga gawi at asal ng mga babae.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest—Indra himself—can be overpowered by attraction; therefore dharma requires vigilance, restraint, and discernment, especially for rulers whose lapses can have wider consequences.
Bhīṣma describes a woman whose beauty overwhelms even celestial beings, emphasizing that Indra (Vṛtra’s slayer) became particularly attached to her, and he introduces Devaśarmā as a sage knowledgeable about women’s conduct, setting up further counsel or exemplum.