Shloka 18
Gārhasthya-Śreṣṭhatā and Kṣatriya-Daṇḍadhāraṇa
Householder Primacy and the Royal Duty of Punishment
व्यास उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । शंखक्ष लिखितश्षास्तां भ्रातरौ संशितव्रतो
vyāsa uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | śaṅkhaś ca likhitaś ca āstāṃ bhrātarau saṃśitavratau |
毗耶娑说道：“在此事上，人们也常援引一则古老的先例。昔日有两兄弟，名为商迦与利奇塔——皆为苦行者，戒律严整，誓愿坚定。”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral reasoning in dharma is often clarified through established precedents (itihāsa). The verse introduces a didactic story in which strict observance of vows and ethical accountability will be illustrated through the example of two disciplined brothers.
Vyāsa begins an illustrative tale, telling Yudhiṣṭhira that people commonly cite an ancient story. He introduces the main figures—two ascetic brothers named Śaṅkha and Likhita—setting the stage for the ethical episode that follows.