Shloka 20
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
भूयो भूय: सर्वशस्तेब्रुवंस्तं किं ते प्रियं करवामाद्य विद्वन् | प्रीता वयं मोक्षिताश्वैव सर्वे काम कि ते करवामाद्य वत्स,वे सब-के-सब बार-बार यह कहने लगे--“विद्वान! आज हम तुम्हारा कौन-सा प्रिय कार्य करें? वत्स! तुमने हमें मृत्युके मुखसे बचाया है; अत: हम सब लोग तुमसे बहुत प्रसन्न हैं। बोलो, तुम्हारा कौन-सा मनोरथ पूर्ण करें?”
śaunaka uvāca |
bhūyo bhūyaḥ sarvaśas te bruvantas taṃ kiṃ te priyaṃ karavāmādya vidvan |
prītā vayaṃ mokṣitāś caiva sarve kāmaṃ kiṃ te karavāmādya vatsa ||
Śaunaka said: “Again and again, in every way, they spoke to him: ‘O wise one, what pleasing service shall we do for you today? We are all delighted, for you have rescued us from the very jaws of death. Tell us, dear child—what wish of yours shall we fulfill today?’”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic reciprocity: when one is protected or saved, gratitude should naturally express itself as a sincere wish to serve and fulfill the benefactor’s rightful desire. It frames gratitude not merely as emotion but as ethical action.
Śaunaka reports that the assembled people repeatedly address the learned rescuer with affection and respect, saying they have been saved from deadly danger and asking what service or wish they can fulfill in return.