Shloka 34
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
ततो मे त्वच्चरी भाव: पादपे च सुमध्यमे । कथं विशिष्टो भ्राता मे भवेदित्येव चिन्तय,'सुमध्यमे! इसीलिये तुम्हारे लिये नियत किये गये चरु और वृक्षमें मेरा अनुराग हुआ है। तुम भी यही चिन्तन करो कि मेरा भाई किसी तरह श्रेष्ठ गुणोंसे सम्पन्न हो”
tato me tvaccarī bhāvaḥ pādape ca sumadhyame | kathaṁ viśiṣṭo bhrātā me bhaved ity eva cintaya ||
Bhishma said: “Therefore, O fair-waisted lady, my affection has become fixed upon the sacrificial offering (caru) appointed for you and upon the tree as well. Reflect on this alone: ‘How may my brother become distinguished—endowed with superior qualities?’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
To direct one’s concern toward the cultivation of excellence and virtue in one’s family—especially ensuring that a brother (or close kin) becomes ‘viśiṣṭa’, i.e., distinguished by superior qualities—rather than being distracted by secondary matters.
Bhishma addresses a woman (called ‘sumadhyamā’) and explains that his attachment has become fixed on the offering (caru) appointed for her and on a tree, and he urges her to keep contemplating a single aim: how his brother might become endowed with outstanding qualities.