Shloka 20
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
उनके ऐसा कहनेपर भृगुपुत्र च्यवन मन-ही-मन बड़े प्रसन्न हुए और कुशिकसे इस प्रकार बोले-- ।।
bhīṣma uvāca — na rājyaṃ kāmaye rājan na dhanaṃ na ca yoṣitaḥ | na ca gāṃ na ca vai deśān na yajñaḥ śrūyatām idam ||
Wahai raja, aku tidak menginginkan kerajaan, tidak pula harta, dan tidak juga perempuan. Aku pun tidak mencari ternak, negeri-negeri, bahkan upacara yajña. Dengarkanlah perkataanku ini.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The sage declares non-attachment: he rejects the usual goals offered to a king—power, wealth, sensual pleasure, property, and even ritual prestige—implying that dharma and higher spiritual aims stand above acquisition and display.
After Kuśika speaks, Cyavana is pleased and responds by refusing worldly rewards. He asks the king to listen, signaling that he will offer counsel or a teaching grounded in restraint rather than bargaining for benefits.