Shloka 13
अक्षहृदय-विद्या-प्रदानम्
Transmission of Akṣa-hṛdaya; Kali’s Exit and the Bibhītaka Refuge
तस्य तद् वचन श्रुत्वा त्वरितो5हमिहागत: । श्रुत्वा प्रमाणं भवती राज्ञश्चनैव निवेदय,“बाहुककी वह बात सुनकर मैं तुरंत यहाँ चला आया। यह सब सुनकर अब कर्तव्याकर्तव्यके निर्णयमें तुम्हीं प्रमाण हो। (तुम्हारी इच्छा हो तो) महाराजको भी ये बातें सूचित कर दो”
tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā tvarito ’ham ihāgataḥ | śrutvā pramāṇaṁ bhavatī rājñaś caiva nivedaya ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “Having heard his words, I hurried here at once. Now that you have heard everything, you alone are the authority for deciding what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. And if you wish, convey these matters to the king as well.”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical decision-making through a trusted authority: after hearing the facts, the addressed person is treated as the decisive pramāṇa (criterion) for determining kārya and akārya—what should and should not be done—and is invited to communicate that counsel to the king.
Bṛhadaśva says he came quickly after hearing someone’s message. He then defers to the judgment of the lady he is addressing, asking her to decide the proper course of action and, if appropriate, to report the matter to the king.