Shloka 4
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
कुलशीलगुणोपेत: स्वाध्याये च परंगत: । बहून् सुवंशप्रभवान् समतीत: स्वकैर्गुणै:
kulaśīlaguṇopetaḥ svādhyāye ca paraṅgataḥ | bahūn suvaṃśaprabhavān samatītaḥ svakair guṇaiḥ ||
Bhishma dit : Il était pourvu d’une noble lignée, d’une conduite irréprochable et de qualités éminentes, et il avait acquis une grande maîtrise de l’étude sacrée (svādhyāya). Par la force de ses propres vertus, il surpassa bien des hommes illustres nés dans des familles renommées, montrant que l’excellence véritable se mesure au caractère et au savoir, plutôt qu’à la naissance seule.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that genuine superiority comes from one’s own virtues—good conduct, cultivated qualities, and mastery of sacred learning—rather than merely from being born into an eminent family.
Bhishma is describing a person’s excellence, praising his lineage, character, and learning, and noting that his personal merits enabled him to outshine many others of high birth.