Shloka 17
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
यदि राज्यं यदि धनं यदि गा: संशितव्रत । यज्ञदानानि च तथा ब्रहि सर्व ददामि ते
yadi rājyaṃ yadi dhanaṃ yadi gāḥ saṃśitavrata | yajñadānāni ca tathā brūhi sarvaṃ dadāmi te ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Ô sage aux vœux fermes et austères, si c’est un royaume, si c’est la richesse, si ce sont des troupeaux, ou encore des dons destinés au sacrifice, dis-le : je te donnerai tout. Ce palais, ce royaume et ce trône de souveraineté établi selon le dharma sont à toi. Tu es le roi : protège cette terre. Quant à moi, je demeurerai toujours ton serviteur, soumis à ton ordre. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic generosity and humility: a ruler (or elder statesman) should be ready to relinquish even supreme possessions—kingdom, wealth, cattle, and ritual gifts—when confronted with a higher moral or spiritual claim, and should place righteous authority above personal attachment.
Bhīṣma addresses an austere sage and offers him whatever he might desire—political power, material wealth, cattle, or sacrificial donations—going so far as to say the throne and governance are the sage’s, while Bhīṣma will remain obedient, underscoring deference to spiritual merit and dharmic legitimacy.