Shloka 2
Vipulopākhyāna—Ruci-rakṣā and Śakra’s Māyā (विपुलोपाख्यानम्—रुचिरक्षणं शक्रमाया च)
भीष्म उवाच क्रिया भवति केषांचिदुपांशुव्रतमुत्तमम् । यो यो याचेत यत् किज्चित् सर्व दद्याम इत्यपि
bhīṣma uvāca
kriyā bhavati keṣāñcid upāṃśu-vratam uttamam |
yo yo yāceta yat kiñcit sarvaṃ dadyām ity api ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh Yudhiṣṭhira, para algunos, las obras activas—como los deberes del sacrificio, la guru-dakṣiṇā o el sustento del hogar—son en sí mismas el fin elegido. Para otros, la disciplina suprema es vivir bajo un voto de silenciosa contención (un observancia casi muda). Por ello, sea lo que sea que pida cualquier suplicante, debe responderse con el ánimo: “Sí, daré”; no se debe despedir a nadie con desengaño.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Different people follow different legitimate paths—some through active duties and some through disciplined restraint—but in all cases one should cultivate generosity: when someone asks, respond with the intention to give and do not dismiss the petitioner with hopelessness.
In Bhishma’s instruction to Yudhishthira on dharma, he explains that both action-oriented life and vow-based restraint can be valid aims, and he emphasizes the ethical stance a giver should adopt toward those who come to ask for help.