Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 443
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
तस्मादिमां सम्प्रविश्य रुचिं स्थास्येडहमद्य वै । सम्भव है, इन्द्र वायुका रूप धारण करके आये और गुरुपत्नीको दूषित कर डाले; इसलिये आज मैं रुचिके शरीरमें प्रवेश करके रहूँगा
tasmād imāṃ sampraviśya ruciṃ sthāsyed aham adya vai | sambhava hai, indra-vāyukā rūpa dhāraṇa kare āye aura guru-patnī ko dūṣita kara ḍāle; isaliye āja maiṃ ruci ke śarīra meṃ praveśa karke rahūṃgā |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Kaya nga, ngayong araw ay papasok ako sa katauhan ni Ruci at mananatili roon. Maaaring dumating sina Indra at Vāyu na nakapag-anyong iba at dungisan ang asawa ng aking guro; kaya ngayong araw ay papasok ako sa katawan ni Ruci at mananatili sa loob.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes vigilant protection of dharma—especially safeguarding the honour and safety of one’s teacher’s household—recognizing that even powerful beings may act through deception, and that ethical duty can require proactive restraint and guardianship.
Bhīṣma states his resolve to enter and remain within Ruci’s body as a protective measure, fearing that Indra and Vāyu might arrive in disguised forms and violate the guru’s wife; his action is framed as prevention of wrongdoing through foresight.