Shloka 2
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । इक्ष्वाको: सूर्यपुत्रस्य यद् वृत्तं ब्राह्मणस्थ च
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | ikṣvākoḥ sūryaputrasya yad vṛttaṃ brāhmaṇa-stha ca |
毗湿摩说道：“就在此事上，人们也常引一则古老的史例——一段旧闻，讲到伊克什瓦库、太阳之子阎摩，以及与一位婆罗门相关所发生之事。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames his instruction through an authoritative ancient exemplar (itihāsa), implying that ethical guidance (dharma) is best understood via precedent—how a righteous ruler and a Brahmin-related situation reveal the practical application of duty.
Bhishma begins introducing an old illustrative story relevant to the current discussion, naming Ikshvaku of the Solar line and indicating that the episode involves a Brahmin; the verse functions as a formal preface to the forthcoming dialogue/incident.