Shloka 8
Śāṃtanu’s Ideal Rule; Devavrata’s Return; The Satyavatī Marriage Condition and Bhīṣma’s Vow (आदि पर्व, अध्याय ९४)
शिबिरुवाच तांस्त्वं लोकान् प्रतिपद्यस्व राजन् मया दत्तान् यदि नेष्ट: क्रयस्ते । नचाहं तान् प्रतिपत्स्ये ह दत्त्वा यत्र गत्वा नानुशोचन्ति धीरा:,शिबिने कहा--महाराज! यदि आप खरीदना नहीं चाहते तो मेरे द्वारा स्वयं अर्पण किये हुए पुण्यलोकोंको ग्रहण कीजिये। उन सबको देकर निश्चय ही मैं उन लोकोंमें नहीं जाऊँगा। वे लोक ऐसे हैं, जहाँ जाकर धीर पुरुष कभी शोक नहीं करते
śibir uvāca tāṁs tvaṁ lokān pratipadyasva rājan mayā dattān yadi neṣṭaḥ krayas te | na cāhaṁ tān pratipatsye ha dattvā yatra gatvā nānuśocanti dhīrāḥ ||
Śibi dit : «Ô Roi ! Si tu ne souhaites pas les acheter, accepte donc ces mondes de mérite que je t’ai moi-même offerts. Les ayant donnés, je ne prendrai assurément pas ces mondes pour moi. Ce sont des royaumes tels que, une fois atteints, les âmes fermes ne s’affligent plus.»
प्रतर्दन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights uncompromising generosity and ethical integrity: true giving means relinquishing claim over the reward itself. The ‘steadfast’ are described as those who, having reached higher states through virtue, are free from regret and grief—suggesting that dharma is fulfilled not by bargaining for merit but by selfless renunciation.
Śibi addresses King Pratardana in a context of exchange over ‘worlds of merit.’ Śibi says that if Pratardana does not want to ‘buy’ them, he should simply accept the meritorious realms Śibi has offered; and Śibi insists he will not reclaim them after giving them away, emphasizing the finality and sincerity of his gift.