Shloka 13
अत्रिणा त्वथ सामर्थ्य कृतमुत्तमतेजसा । द्विजेनाग्निद्धितीयेन जपता चर्मवाससा
atriṇā tv atha sāmarthyaṁ kṛtam uttama-tejasā | dvijena agni-dvitīyena japatā carma-vāsasā ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Pagmasdan ninyo ang pambihirang kapangyarihang ipinamalas dito ng pantas na si Atri—nagniningning sa sukdulang espirituwal na liwanag—ang ‘dalawang ulit na isinilang’ na yaon, na ang banal na apoy ay lagi niyang kasama, namumuhay sa mahigpit na pagtalima, bumibigkas ng mga mantra habang nakabalot sa balat ng usa. Tingnan ang kadakilaan ng kanyang gawa. Naipahayag ko na nang malawakan ang mga ginawa ng marangal na Atri. Kaya sinasabi ko: ang brāhmaṇa ang pinakadakila; sabihin mo sa akin, aling kṣatriya ang hihigit pa kay Atri?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights that true superiority is grounded in tapas, ritual steadiness, and spiritual radiance (tejas). By pointing to Atri’s disciplined life—Agnihotra, japa, and ascetic simplicity—he argues that brahminical excellence is measured by inner power and dharmic practice rather than worldly force.
Bhīṣma is citing the example of the sage Atri’s remarkable accomplishment and asking his listener to recognize Atri’s greatness. He uses this as a rhetorical challenge: if one seeks a kṣatriya greater than Atri, who would it be—implying that Atri’s spiritual achievements surpass typical martial standards of greatness.