Shloka 3
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
तपस्वी कश्चिदभवत् सुवर्णो नाम भारत । वर्णतो हेमवर्ण: स सुवर्ण इति पप्रथे
tapasvī kaścid abhavat suvarṇo nāma bhārata | varṇato hemavarṇaḥ sa suvarṇa iti paprathe, bharatanandana ||
भीष्म बोले— हे भारतवंशज! प्राचीन काल में सुवर्ण नाम के एक तपस्वी थे। उनका वर्ण स्वर्ण के समान दमकता था; इसीलिए, हे भरतनन्दन, वे ‘सुवर्ण’ नाम से सर्वत्र प्रसिद्ध हुए।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse introduces an exemplary ascetic whose very name reflects a visible quality (golden radiance), setting up a moral narrative where inner discipline (tapas) and outward signs of purity or excellence become socially recognized.
Bhishma begins a story by presenting a character: an ascetic Brahmin named Suvarṇa, so called because his complexion resembled gold and he was famed by that name.