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 ||
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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.