Shloka 11
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
सावित्रयुवाच कि प्रार्थयसि विप्रर्षे किं चेष्टं करवाणि ते । प्रत्रूहि जपतां श्रेष्ठ सर्व तत् ते भविष्यति
Sāvitrī uvāca: kiṁ prārthayasi viprarṣe kiṁ ceṣṭaṁ karavāṇi te | prabrūhi japatāṁ śreṣṭha sarvaṁ tat te bhaviṣyati ||
सावित्री बोलीं—हे ब्रह्मर्षि! तुम क्या चाहते हो? तुम्हारे लिए कौन-सा अभीष्ट कार्य मैं करूँ? हे जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ! कहो; तुम्हारी समस्त अभिलाषा पूर्ण होगी।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that spiritual merit (japa, disciplined recitation) is honored, but the decisive ethical point is the responsible articulation of desire: when granted the power of fulfillment, one must choose and state wishes aligned with dharma.
Sāvitrī addresses a brahmarṣi and offers to fulfill his desire, asking him to state clearly what he seeks and what service she should perform; she assures him that his expressed wish will be accomplished.