Shloka 13
Cyavana’s Yogic Display and Kuśika’s Recognition of Tapas (च्यवन-योगप्रभावः कुशिकस्य तपःप्रशंसा च)
च्यवन उवाच अर्ध राज्यं समग्र च मूल्यं नाहामि पार्थिव । सदृशं दीयतां मूल्यमृषिभि: सह चिन्त्यताम्
Cyavana uvāca—ardha-rājyaṃ samagraṃ ca mūlyaṃ nāham icchāmi pārthiva | sadṛśaṃ dīyatāṃ mūlyam ṛṣibhiḥ saha cintyatām ||
Cyavana berkata, “Wahai penguasa bumi! Setengah kerajaanmu maupun seluruhnya bukanlah harga yang layak bagiku. Berikanlah tebusan yang sepadan; dan bila ukuran yang tepat tidak terlintas dalam benakmu, pertimbangkanlah bersama para resi.”
च्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Value and recompense should be proportionate and dharmic, not merely extravagant. Even immense worldly power (a kingdom) may be an improper ‘price’ if it does not match what is rightly due; wise deliberation with sages is recommended when judgment is uncertain.
Sage Cyavana addresses a king and refuses the offer of half or all of the kingdom as payment. He asks instead for an appropriate, fitting compensation and advises the king to consult other sages if he cannot determine what is proper.