Shloka 18
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
ततः संचिन्तयामास वंशकर्तारमात्मन: । ध्यातमात्रस्तथा चात्रिराजगाम तपोधन:,यह बात ध्यानमें आते ही उन्होंने अपने वंशप्रवर्तक महर्षि अत्रिका स्मरण किया। उनके चिन्तन करते ही तपोधन अत्रि वहाँ आ पहुँचे
tataḥ sañcintayāmāsa vaṃśakartāram ātmanaḥ | dhyātamātras tathā cātrir ājagāma tapodhanaḥ ||
Then he reflected upon the founder of his own lineage. The very moment he meditated on him, the ascetic Atri—rich in austerity—arrived there at once.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency of sincere contemplation of a dharmic source (a venerable ṛṣi or lineage-founder): inner recollection and reverence are depicted as spiritually effective, bringing timely guidance and support.
The speaker describes how, after thinking of his lineage-progenitor, the sage Atri appears immediately—arriving as soon as he is remembered/meditated upon.