Shloka 19
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
एवमुक्ते ततो वाक्ये च्यवनो भार्गवस्तदा । कुशिकं प्रत्युवाचेद॑ मुदा परमया युत:
evam ukte tato vākye cyavano bhārgavas tadā | kuśikaṁ pratyuvāceda mudā paramayā yutaḥ ||
Als jene Worte so gesprochen waren, erwiderte darauf Cyavana aus dem Geschlecht der Bhṛgu, in jenem Augenblick von höchster Freude erfüllt, dem Kuśika. Die Erzählung hebt hervor, wie ein maßvoller Wortwechsel—recht gesprochen und im rechten Geist aufgenommen—zu Klarheit und glückverheißender Lösung führen kann und so das ethische Gewicht von Rede und Antwort im dharmagetragenen Gespräch widerspiegelt.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic importance of response in dialogue: when words are spoken appropriately, the reply—offered with a pure and joyful mind—can advance understanding and lead toward a constructive outcome. It implicitly values restraint, clarity, and goodwill in speech.
After certain words have been spoken (in the preceding context), the sage Cyavana, identified as a Bhārgava, turns to Kuśika and replies, doing so while filled with great joy. The verse functions as a narrative transition into Cyavana’s response.