Shloka 81
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
मुक्तश्न व्यसनादस्मात् सौम्याहमपि नाम ते । प्रीतिमुत्पादयेयं च प्रीतिकर्तुश्न॒ सत्क्रियाम्
muktaś ca vyasanād asmāt, saumyāham api nāma te | prītim utpādayeyaṃ ca, prītikartuś ca satkriyām ||
Bhishma sprach: „O Sanftmütiger, wenn du von diesem Unheil befreit bist, werde auch ich Zuneigung in deinem Herzen erwecken; und da du gehandelt hast, um mir zu gefallen, werde ich dich gebührend ehren—mit angemessenem Respekt und gastlicher Aufnahme.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic reciprocity: one should respond to help and goodwill with gratitude, affection, and proper honor (satkriyā). Ethical conduct includes recognizing benefactors and repaying kindness through respectful treatment.
Bhīṣma addresses a ‘gentle one’ who has acted to please or assist him. He promises that once the person is delivered from the present distress, Bhīṣma will cultivate goodwill toward him and will formally honor him as a deserving benefactor.