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 ||
Entonces meditó en el fundador de su propio linaje. En el mismo instante en que lo evocó en su contemplación, el asceta Atri—rico en austeridades—llegó allí sin demora.
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.