Shloka 4

Devanagari script

ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले सत्त्वाद्याश्रयसम्मिते । कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थित:

Transliteration

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

Translation

భీష్ముడు పలికెను—అతడు మహత్తరమైన, ఖ్యాతిగాంచిన కులమున ఉండెను; అక్కడ బంధువులు, స్నేహితులు విస్తారముగా ఉండి, సత్త్వాది సద్గుణములనే ఆధారముగా చేసికొని జీవించుచుండిరి. ఆ మహాకులమున నివసించుచు అతడు శ్రేష్ఠమైన, విశిష్టమైన జీవనోపాధిని ఆశ్రయించి జీవనము సాగించెను.

Word by Word

• ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धि-विपुले: in (a family) abundant in kinsmen and relations
• ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धि-विपुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धिन्-विपुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मिते: in (a family) characterized by reliance on sattva etc. (good qualities)
• सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मिते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मित
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• कुले: in the family/lineage
• कुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• महति: great
• महति: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विख्याते: renowned
• विख्याते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विख्यात
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विशिष्टाम्: excellent, distinguished
• विशिष्टाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशिष्ट
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• वृत्तिम्: mode of life; livelihood; conduct
• वृत्तिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आस्थितः: having adopted; abiding in
• आस्थितः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था (धातु: स्था) → आस्थित (क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

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.