Shloka 4
Tapas-śreṣṭhatā: Anāśana as the Highest Austerity
Bhagīratha–Brahmā Saṃvāda
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । भगीरथस्य संवादं ब्रह्मणश्ष महात्मन:,इस विषयमें विज्ञ पुरुष राजा भगीरथ और महात्मा ब्रह्माजीके संवादरूप एक प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | bhagīrathasya saṃvādaṃ brahmaṇaś ca mahātmanaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Também aqui os eruditos citam um precedente antigo—um relato de tempos remotos—, a saber, o diálogo entre o rei Bhagīratha e Brahmā, de grande alma. Ao recordar essa troca, a compreensão correta deste tema é iluminada por meio de exemplo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That ethical questions are clarified by appealing to authoritative precedent: the tradition preserves exemplary narratives (itihāsa) whose dialogues and outcomes illuminate dharma.
Bhishma signals a shift into an illustrative story: he introduces an ancient account, specifically a dialogue between King Bhagiratha and Brahmā, to serve as an example relevant to the topic under discussion.