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 ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Kauravya, dari Svayambhū (Brahmā) lahirlah resi agung Atri, seorang maharṣi yang berwibawa dan berdaya tapa. Wahai Raja, kebanggaan wangsa Kuru, dalam garis keturunannya muncullah resi yang termasyhur bernama 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.