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.