Shloka 28
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
तथेति च प्राह नृपो निर्विशडुकस्तपोधनम् । क्रीडारथो<स्तु भगवन्नुत सांग्रामिको रथ:,तब राजाने निःशंक होकर उन तपोधनसे कहा--“बहुत अच्छा, भगवन्! क्रीड़ाका रथ तैयार किया जाय या युद्धके उपयोगमें आनेवाला रथ?”
tatheti ca prāha nṛpo nirviśaṅkas tapodhanam | krīḍāratho 'stu bhagavan uta sāṅgrāmiko rathaḥ ||
قال بهيشما: إنّ الملك، وقد زال عنه الشكّ، أجاب الناسك الزاهد: «ليكن كذلك، أيها السيد الجليل. أخبرني—أأُعِدُّ العربة لتكون للهو والموكب، أم عربةً صالحةً للقتال؟»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment in royal action: the same resource (a chariot) can serve harmless recreation or warfare. Dharma depends on purpose and intention, and a king should seek wise counsel before choosing a course that may lead to violence.
In Bhīṣma’s narration, the king, reassured and no longer doubtful, addresses an ascetic and asks a practical but value-laden question: whether to prepare a chariot meant for sport or one designed for battle.