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 ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Mula rito, paglakad ng tatlong yojana, naroon ang makapangyarihang panginoon ng mga Rākṣasa, tanyag sa pangalang Virūpākṣa—ang aking kaibigang ubod-lakas.”
भीष्म उवाच
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.