Shloka 4
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । संवादं भरतश्रेष्ठ शाल्मले: पवनस्य च,भीष्मजीने कहा--भरतश्रेष्ठ! इस विषयमें विज्ञ पुरुष वायु और सेमलवृक्षके संवादरूप एक प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
Bhīṣma uvāca: atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | saṁvādaṁ Bharataśreṣṭha śālmaleḥ pavanasya ca ||
ভীষ্মে ক’লে—হে ভৰতশ্ৰেষ্ঠ! এই বিষয়তো জ্ঞানীসকলে এক প্ৰাচীন ইতিহাসৰ দৃষ্টান্ত দিয়ে—শাল্মলি (সেমল) গছ আৰু পৱনৰ সংলাপ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that ethical instruction is often clarified through precedent: an old illustrative story (itihāsa) is introduced to illuminate the dharmic point being discussed, using a dialogue format between symbolic figures (Wind and a tree).
Bhishma begins an exemplifying tale, telling Yudhiṣṭhira that learned people cite an ancient account—a conversation between the śālmali tree and the Wind—which will serve as the next illustrative episode in his teaching.