Shloka 5
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
वल्लभस्तस्य तनय: साक्षाद्धर्म इवापर: | कुशिकस्तस्य तनय: सहस्राक्षसमद्युति:
vallabhas tasya tanayaḥ sākṣād dharma ivāparaḥ | kuśikas tasya tanayaḥ sahasrākṣa-samadyutiḥ ||
Bhishma nói: “Con trai của Balākāśva là Vallabha, như chính Dharma hiện thân trong một hình dạng khác. Con trai của Vallabha là Kuśika, rực rỡ với hào quang sánh ngang Indra ngàn mắt.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal through lineage: a worthy successor is described as ‘another Dharma,’ implying that true nobility is measured by righteousness and conduct, not merely by birth.
Bhishma is recounting a genealogical succession: from a prior figure comes Vallabha, praised for dharmic character, and from Vallabha comes Kuśika, praised for Indra-like brilliance—establishing the stature of the line through virtue and splendor.