Shloka 54
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
भृगुनन्दन! यही मेरे राज्यका और यही मेरी तपस्याका भी फल है। विप्रवर! यदि आपका मुझपर प्रेम हो तो मेरे मनमें एक संदेह है, उसका समाधान करनेकी कृपा करें ।।
Bhṛgunandana! idaṃ mama rājyasya ca idaṃ mama tapasyāyāś ca phalam. Vipravara! yadi tava mayi prema syāt, mama manasi ekaḥ saṃdehaḥ; tasya samādhānaṃ kartum arhasi.
¡Oh descendiente de Bhṛgu! Éste es el fruto de mi realeza, y éste también es el fruto de mis austeridades. ¡Oh el mejor de los brahmanes! Si me profesas afecto, hay una duda en mi corazón: ten a bien disiparla.
कुशिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry as a rightful outcome of both worldly responsibility (kingship) and spiritual discipline (austerity): when power and tapas mature, they should culminate in humility, self-questioning, and seeking guidance from the wise to resolve moral doubt.
Kuśika addresses a Bhṛgu-line sage (Cyavana), acknowledging that his present situation reflects the results of his rule and ascetic practice. He then requests, on the basis of the sage’s goodwill, that a lingering doubt in his mind be clarified—setting up a question-and-answer exchange on dāna-dharma and right conduct.