Shloka 14
फलभक्षेण राजर्षे पश्य कर्मात्रिणा कृतम् । तस्यापि विस्तरेणोक्तं कर्मात्रे: सुमहात्मन: । ब्रवीम्यहं ब्रूहि वा त्वमत्रित: क्षत्रियं वरम्
phalabhakṣeṇa rājarṣe paśya karmātriṇā kṛtam | tasyāpi vistareṇoktaṁ karmātreḥ sumahātmanaḥ | bravīmyahaṁ brūhi vā tvam atritaḥ kṣatriyaṁ varam ||
Bhīṣma said: “O royal sage, look at the deed accomplished by Atri through a life sustained on fruits. The great-souled Atri’s work has already been described in detail as well. I declare that the brāhmaṇa is the superior; now you tell me—what kṣatriya is greater than Atri?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights the moral and spiritual authority gained through tapas (austerity) and disciplined living, using Atri as an exemplar, and argues that such brahminical ascetic power can surpass kṣatriya power rooted in arms and rule.
In a discussion on dharma and relative excellence of social roles, Bhīṣma points to Atri’s extraordinary deeds achieved through fruit-based ascetic practice and challenges the listener to name any kṣatriya who exceeds Atri’s greatness.