Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
ऋषिरासीन्महा भागो देवशर्मेति विश्रुत:
ṛṣir āsīn mahābhāgo devaśarmeti viśrutaḥ
毗湿摩说道:“从前有一位福德深厚的大圣仙,名闻于世,号为提婆舍摩(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.