Mahabharata — Ashramavasika Parva, Shloka 213
अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal
प्रवणो5स्मि वरं दातुं पश्य मे तपस: फलम् । “महाप्राज्ञ नरेश! बोलो, मैं तुम्हें कौन-सा अभीष्ट मनोरथ प्रदान करूँ? आज मैं तुम्हें मनोवाञ्छित वर देनेको तैयार हूँ। तुम मेरी तपस्याका फल देखो”
pravaṇo ’smi varaṃ dātuṃ paśya me tapasaḥ phalam |
قال فايشامبايانا: «إنّي مستعدّ لمنحِ نعمةٍ. فانظر ثمرةَ تقشّفي. تكلّمْ، أيّها الملكُ الحكيم: أيُّ رغبةٍ عزيزةٍ تريدني أن أُتمّها لك؟»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) is portrayed as a disciplined moral force whose ‘fruit’ can become beneficent power—yet it is ethically framed as service: the ascetic’s readiness to grant a boon is directed toward fulfilling a worthy desire, not mere display.
The speaker announces his willingness to grant a boon and invites the king to state his desired wish, presenting this offer as the tangible result of accumulated ascetic merit.
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