Shloka 19
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
मया त्वं यज्ञसंसिद्धौ नियुक्तो गुरुकर्मणि । कस्मात् प्रतिनिवृत्तोडसि कच्चिन्न कुशलं तव,बेटा! मैंने तो तुम्हें यज्ञ करानेके भारी कार्यपर लगा रखा था, फिर तुम लौट कैसे आये? तुम कुशलसे तो हो न?
mayā tvaṃ yajñasaṃsiddhau niyukto gurukarmaṇi | kasmāt pratinivṛtto 'si kaccin na kuśalaṃ tava ||
قال بهيشما: «يا بُنيّ، لقد ولّيتُك أمرًا جليلًا يتعلّق بإتمام القربان. فلمَ رجعتَ؟ أكلُّ شيءٍ على ما يُرام، يا بُنيّ؟»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as responsible follow-through: when someone is entrusted with an important duty (especially a sacrificial or communal obligation), withdrawing without explanation is ethically significant. It also models compassionate leadership—checking on a subordinate’s welfare before judging the lapse.
Bhishma addresses a younger person whom he had assigned to an important role in completing a sacrifice. Seeing him return unexpectedly, Bhishma asks why he has come back and whether he is safe and well.