Shloka 4
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । संवादं भरतश्रेष्ठ शाल्मले: पवनस्य च
Bhīṣma uvāca: atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | saṁvādaṁ Bharataśreṣṭha śālmaleḥ pavanasya ca ||
பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்—பரதகுலச் சிறந்தவனே! இவ்விஷயத்திலும் ஞானிகள் ஒரு பழம்பெரும் வரலாற்று எடுத்துக்காட்டைச் சொல்கிறார்கள்—சால்மலி (செம்மல்) மரமும் காற்றும் நடத்திய உரையாடலை.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that ethical instruction is often clarified through precedent: an old illustrative story (itihāsa) is introduced to illuminate the dharmic point being discussed, using a dialogue format between symbolic figures (Wind and a tree).
Bhishma begins an exemplifying tale, telling Yudhiṣṭhira that learned people cite an ancient account—a conversation between the śālmali tree and the Wind—which will serve as the next illustrative episode in his teaching.