Shloka 4
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
अन्रिर्वसिष्ठो5थ भृगुः पुलस्त्य: पुलह:ः क्रतुः । अज्धिरागौतमोडगस्त्य: सुमति: सुयतात्मवान्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: atrir vasiṣṭho 'tha bhṛguḥ pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ | aṅgirā gautamo 'gastyaḥ sumatiḥ suyātātmavān ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“这些圣仙是：阿特里、婆悉吒、婆利古、普罗娑底耶、普罗诃、克罗图、安吉罗娑、瞿昙、阿迦斯底耶，以及自制严谨的苏摩提。”在叙事中，此句开启对诸大ṛṣi的恭敬列名，将他们呈为戒行与灵性权威的典范，以使后续关于“法”（dharma）的教诲根植于可敬的圣贤传承。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
By invoking a lineage of revered ṛṣis—especially highlighting self-restraint (suyatātmavān)—the text frames dharma as something authenticated by exemplary lives and transmitted through authoritative teachers.
Vaiśampāyana begins enumerating eminent sages. This catalogue functions as a contextual preface: it signals that the ensuing discussion or instruction is rooted in the testimony and tradition of venerable seers.