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 ||
ਉਸ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਵੱਲਭ ਸੀ—ਜਿਵੇਂ ਧਰਮ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਦੂਜੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਵੇ। ਵੱਲਭ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਕੁਸ਼ਿਕ ਸੀ—ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਕਾਂਤੀ ਸਹਸ੍ਰਨੇਤ੍ਰ ਇੰਦਰ ਵਰਗੀ ਸੀ।
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.