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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。彼は高貴な家柄、正しい行い、すぐれた徳を備え、聖典の学習と誦習（スヴァーディヤーヤ）にも深く通じていた。自らの徳の力によって、名門に生まれた多くの傑士をも凌ぎ—真の卓越は生まれではなく、人格と学識によって量られることを示したのである。
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.