Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
एतदू् राज्यफलं चैव तपसश्न॒ फलं मम । यदि त्वं प्रीतिमान् विप्र मयि वै भूगुनन्दन
etad rājyaphalaṃ caiva tapasaś ca phalaṃ mama | yadi tvaṃ prītimān vipra mayi vai bhṛgunandana ||
قال كوشيكا: «هذا حقًّا جزاءُ المُلك، وهذا أيضًا ثمرةُ نسكي—إن كنتَ، أيها البراهمن، يا بهجةَ آلِ بهريغو، راضيًا عني حقًّا.»
कुशिक उवाच
True success in power (rājya) and in ascetic effort (tapas) is measured by ethical approval and goodwill—especially the satisfaction of a righteous, learned Brahmin—rather than by mere external achievements.
Kuśika addresses a Bhārgava Brahmin with reverence, declaring that the greatest ‘fruit’ of his kingship and austerities is the Brahmin’s pleasure and favorable regard toward him.