Shloka 4

Devanagari script

ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले सत्त्वाद्याश्रयसम्मिते । कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थित:

Transliteration

jñātisambandhivipule sattvādyāśrayasam mite | kule mahati vikhyāte viśiṣṭāṃ vṛttim āsthitaḥ ||

Translation

毗湿摩说：在一个伟大而著名的家族中，亲族繁盛，依止于如“萨埵”（sattva）等德性，他选择了卓越的生计之道。居于那显赫的宗族之内，他以高贵而端正的方式自养，契合其氏族所奉行的伦理准则。

Word by Word

• ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धि-विपुले: in (a family) abundant in kinsmen and relations
• ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धि-विपुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञाति-सम्बन्धिन्-विपुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मिते: in (a family) characterized by reliance on sattva etc. (good qualities)
• सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मिते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्त्व-आदि-आश्रय-सम्मित
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• कुले: in the family/lineage
• कुले: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• महति: great
• महति: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विख्याते: renowned
• विख्याते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विख्यात
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विशिष्टाम्: excellent, distinguished
• विशिष्टाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशिष्ट
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• वृत्तिम्: mode of life; livelihood; conduct
• वृत्तिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आस्थितः: having adopted; abiding in
• आस्थितः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था (धातु: स्था) → आस्थित (क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A person’s livelihood and conduct should align with dharma: noble means of sustenance are supported by a virtuous social environment (a clan grounded in sattva and related virtues), and one should uphold the ethical standards of one’s lineage rather than pursue degrading or harmful occupations.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes a man situated in a large, renowned family with many relatives, where people live by sattva-based virtues. Within that setting, the man adopts a distinguished livelihood and maintains himself through an honorable way of living.