Shloka 7
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । च्यवनस्य च संवादं कुशिकस्य च भारत,भीष्मजीने कहा--भारत! इस विषयमें महर्षि च्यवन और राजा कुशिकके संवादरूप इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | cyavanasya ca saṁvādaṁ kuśikasya ca bhārata ||
毗湿摩说道：“婆罗多啊，在此事上也有人援引一则古老的先例——一段旧史——即仙人遮瓦那（Cyavana）与俱悉迦王（Kuśika）之间的对话。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames his instruction by appealing to itihāsa—an authoritative ancient precedent—signaling that dharma is clarified not only by rules but also by exemplary narratives, especially dialogues between sages and kings.
Bhishma introduces a traditional story as an illustration: he is about to recount the ancient dialogue between the sage Cyavana and King Kuśika to support the point under discussion.