Shloka 4

Devanagari script

ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले सत्त्वाद्याश्रयसम्मिते । कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थित:,उसके कुलमें सगे-सम्बन्धियोंकी संख्या अधिक थी। सभी लोग सच्त्वप्रधान सदगुणोंका सहारा लेकर श्रेष्ठ जीवन व्यतीत करते थे। उस महान्‌ एवं विख्यात कुलमें रहकर वह उत्तम आजीविकाके सहारे जीवन-निर्वाह करता था

Transliteration

jñātisambandhivipule sattvādyāśrayasam mite | kule mahati vikhyāte viśiṣṭāṃ vṛttim āsthitaḥ ||

Translation

ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले सत्त्वाद्याश्रयसम्मिते। कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थितः॥

Word by Word

ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धि-विपुलेin (a family) abundant in kinsmen and relations

सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मितेin (a family) characterized by reliance on sattva etc. (good qualities)

कुलेin the family/lineage

महतिgreat

विख्यातेrenowned

विशिष्टाम्excellent, distinguished

वृत्तिम्mode of life; livelihood; conduct

आस्थितःhaving adopted; abiding in

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A person’s livelihood and conduct should align with dharma: noble means of sustenance are supported by a virtuous social environment (a clan grounded in sattva and related virtues), and one should uphold the ethical standards of one’s lineage rather than pursue degrading or harmful occupations.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes a man situated in a large, renowned family with many relatives, where people live by sattva-based virtues. Within that setting, the man adopts a distinguished livelihood and maintains himself through an honorable way of living.