Shloka 4
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । संवादं भरतश्रेष्ठ शाल्मले: पवनस्य च
Bhīṣma uvāca: atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | saṁvādaṁ Bharataśreṣṭha śālmaleḥ pavanasya ca ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «También aquí, oh el mejor de los Bhāratas, los sabios citan un antiguo ejemplo: un diálogo entre el árbol śālmali, el ceibo de algodón sedoso, y el Viento.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that ethical instruction is often clarified through precedent: an old illustrative story (itihāsa) is introduced to illuminate the dharmic point being discussed, using a dialogue format between symbolic figures (Wind and a tree).
Bhishma begins an exemplifying tale, telling Yudhiṣṭhira that learned people cite an ancient account—a conversation between the śālmali tree and the Wind—which will serve as the next illustrative episode in his teaching.