Shloka 5
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
वल्लभस्तस्य तनय: साक्षाद्धर्म इवापर: | कुशिकस्तस्य तनय: सहस्राक्षसमद्युति:
vallabhas tasya tanayaḥ sākṣād dharma ivāparaḥ | kuśikas tasya tanayaḥ sahasrākṣa-samadyutiḥ ||
त्याचा पुत्र वल्लभ—जणू साक्षात् धर्माचा दुसरा अवतार. वल्लभाचा पुत्र कुशिक—सहस्रनेत्र इंद्रासारखा तेजस्वी.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal through lineage: a worthy successor is described as ‘another Dharma,’ implying that true nobility is measured by righteousness and conduct, not merely by birth.
Bhishma is recounting a genealogical succession: from a prior figure comes Vallabha, praised for dharmic character, and from Vallabha comes Kuśika, praised for Indra-like brilliance—establishing the stature of the line through virtue and splendor.