Shloka 1
हि ही बक। हि मा त्रिपठ्चाशरदाधिकत्रिशततमोब«् ध्याय: महापदपुरमें एक श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मगके सदाचारका वर्णन और उसके घरपर अतिथिका आगमन भीष्म उवाच आसीत् किल नरश्रेष्ठ महापद्ये पुरोत्तमे । गज़ाया दक्षिणे तीरे कश्चिद् विप्र: समाहित:
bhīṣma uvāca | āsīt kila naraśreṣṭha mahāpadye purottame | gaṅgāyā dakṣiṇe tīre kaścid vipraḥ samāhitaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“尤提史提罗啊，人中最胜者！在名为摩诃钵底耶的上妙城中，恒河之南岸，昔日曾住着一位婆罗门——心神澄定，自制而内守，意志坚稳。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a dharma-instruction narrative by presenting an ideal brāhmaṇa characterized by mental composure and disciplined conduct, preparing the ground for teaching about righteous living—especially the ethical weight of proper behavior and hospitality.
Bhīṣma begins recounting a traditional story: in the city of Mahāpadya on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā lived a composed brāhmaṇa. This opening establishes the setting and the exemplary figure whose conduct will be illustrated in the following verses.