Shloka 53
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
तामब्रवीत् ततो विप्रो राजपुत्रीं सुदर्शनाम् । त्वया ममार्थ: कल्याणि निर्विशड्कैतदाचर
tām abravīt tato vipro rājaputrīṃ sudarśanām | tvayā mamārthaḥ kalyāṇi nirviśaṅkaitad āchara ||
Alors le brahmane s’adressa à la princesse, belle à contempler : «Ô dame de bon augure, mon dessein ne dépend que de toi. Accomplis donc ma requête sans crainte ni hésitation.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how responsibility can be placed upon someone through confident, reassuring speech—urging action “without hesitation.” Ethically, it invites the listener to balance trust and courage with careful judgment about whether the requested act aligns with dharma.
A brahmin approaches and speaks to a beautiful princess, telling her that his objective depends on her and asking her to carry out his request without fear or doubt.