Shloka 4
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
अन्रिर्वसिष्ठो5थ भृगुः पुलस्त्य: पुलह:ः क्रतुः । अज्धिरागौतमोडगस्त्य: सुमति: सुयतात्मवान्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: atrir vasiṣṭho 'tha bhṛguḥ pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ | aṅgirā gautamo 'gastyaḥ sumatiḥ suyātātmavān ||
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்—அந்த முனிவர்கள்: அத்ரி, வசிஷ்டன், ப்ருகு, புலஸ்த்யன், புலஹன், க்ரது, அங்கிரஸ், கௌதமன், அகஸ்த்யன், மேலும் தன்னடக்கம் கொண்ட சுமதி.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
By invoking a lineage of revered ṛṣis—especially highlighting self-restraint (suyatātmavān)—the text frames dharma as something authenticated by exemplary lives and transmitted through authoritative teachers.
Vaiśampāyana begins enumerating eminent sages. This catalogue functions as a contextual preface: it signals that the ensuing discussion or instruction is rooted in the testimony and tradition of venerable seers.