Karma-Phala Rahasya and the Ethics of Dāna (कर्मफल-रहस्यं दानधर्मश्च)
वैशम्पायन उवाच भीष्मस्यैतद् वचःश्रुत्वा विस्मिता: कुरुपुड्रवा: । आसन प्रहृष्टमनस: प्रीतिमन्तो5भवंस्तदा
vaiśampāyana uvāca: bhīṣmasyaitad vacaḥ śrutvā vismitāḥ kurupuṅgavāḥ | āsan prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ prītimanto 'bhavaṃs tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : En entendant ces paroles de Bhīṣma, les plus éminents de la lignée des Kuru furent saisis d’étonnement. Leurs cœurs se remplirent d’une joie vive, et, en cet instant, tous furent profondément satisfaits.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the authority and ethical weight of Bhīṣma’s instruction: when dharmic counsel is spoken well, wise elders respond with wonder and heartfelt approval, indicating communal validation of righteous guidance.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, after Bhīṣma speaks, the leading Kurus listen and react—astonished and delighted—showing that Bhīṣma’s words have moved and convinced the assembly.