Shloka 14
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
एकत: श्यामकर्णानां हयानां चन्द्रवर्चसाम् । सहसतरं वातवेगानां भिक्षे त्वां देवसत्तम
ekataḥ śyāmakarṇānāṃ hayānāṃ candravarcasām | sahasrataraṃ vātavegānāṃ bhikṣe tvāṃ devasattama ||
«Oh, el mejor entre los dioses, te suplico mil caballos—radiantes como la luna y veloces como el viento—y que cada uno esté señalado por tener una oreja de color oscuro (śyāma).»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic ideal that what is sought or given should be of high quality and purposeful—excellence (radiance, speed, distinctive marks) aligns gifts and boons with righteous aims rather than mere accumulation.
Bhishma addresses a supreme divine figure and asks for a boon: one thousand exceptional horses, described by their moon-like brilliance, wind-like speed, and the distinctive mark of having one dark-colored ear.