Shloka 12
Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
वपुष्मन्त्यो वयं सर्वा: किमस्माकं त्वयाद्य वै यथेष्टं गम्यतां तत्र कृतकार्या वयं त्वया
vapuṣmantyo vayaṁ sarvāḥ kim asmākaṁ tvayādyavai | yatheṣṭaṁ gamyatāṁ tatra kṛtakāryā vayaṁ tvayā ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Nous sommes toutes bien formées et florissantes de corps ; de quoi aurions-nous besoin de toi aujourd’hui ? Va où bon te semble. Par ta seule apparition devant nous, notre dessein est accompli ; nous nous tenons pour satisfaites. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a stance of self-sufficiency and detachment: one may acknowledge another’s presence respectfully, yet assert that one’s well-being and purpose do not depend on external aid. It also reflects the ethical power of speech—granting closure by declaring the matter complete.
Bhishma, speaking in the Anushasana Parva, quotes or conveys a response (in a feminine plural voice) that dismisses further involvement: the speakers say they are already thriving and that merely having been seen is enough, so the other party may depart wherever they wish.