Bhishma said Thus addressed by his preceptor, the ascetic Vipula, with senses restrained, always engaged in severe penances, possessed of the splendour, O king, of fire or the sun, conversant with all the duties of virtue, and ever truthful in speech, answered him, saying So be it! Once more, however, as his preceptor was about to start, Vipula asked him in these words.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तो विपुलस्तेन तपस्वी नियतेन्द्रियः॥ सदैवोग्रतपा राजन्नग्न्यर्कसदृशद्युतिः। धर्मज्ञः सत्यवादी च तथेति प्रत्यभाषत। पुनश्चेदं महाराज पप्रच्छ प्रस्थितं गुरुम्॥