Shloka 51
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
याज्ञवल्क्यश्नल विख्यातस्तथा स्थूणो महाव्रत: । उलूको यमदूतश्न तथर्षि: सैन्धवायन:
yājñavalkyaśnala vikhyātas tathā sthūṇo mahāvrataḥ | ulūko yamadūtaśna tatharṣiḥ saindhavāyanaḥ ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Yājñavalkyaśnala lừng danh; cũng vậy Sthūṇa, bậc giữ đại nguyện. Lại có Ulūka, kẻ ăn thị giả của thần Yama; và hiền triết Saindhavāyana.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as an ethical-narrative catalogue of exemplars: it highlights figures known for fame, severe vows, and extraordinary spiritual power, implying that dharma is upheld through disciplined conduct and the presence of authoritative sages.
Bhīṣma is listing notable ascetics/sages by name—Yājñavalkyaśnala, Sthūṇa, Ulūka, and Saindhavāyana—within a broader discourse that invokes respected authorities to frame and support teachings on dharma and right conduct.