Shloka 4
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
स्वायम्भुवो<त्रि: कौरव्य परमर्षि: प्रतापवान् । तस्य वंशे महाराज दत्तात्रेय इति स्मृत:
svāyambhuvo 'triḥ kauravya paramarṣiḥ pratāpavān | tasya vaṃśe mahārāja dattātreya iti smṛtaḥ kurunandana ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô Kauravya, le grand ṛṣi Atri naquit de Svayambhū (Brahmā) et possédait une puissance ascétique redoutable. Ô roi, joie des Kuru, dans sa lignée apparut le sage connu sous le nom de Dattātreya.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse grounds later instruction in the authority of sacred lineage: revered teachers and exemplars (like Atri and Dattātreya) arise in a sanctified succession, implying that dharma is preserved and transmitted through recognized rishi-traditions.
Bhīṣma, addressing the Kuru king, introduces the origin of the sage Atri from Brahmā and notes that Dattātreya appeared in Atri’s lineage, setting up a genealogical and authoritative context for the ensuing teaching.