Shloka 28
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
तथेति च प्राह नृपो निर्विशडुकस्तपोधनम् । क्रीडारथो<स्तु भगवन्नुत सांग्रामिको रथ:
tatheti ca prāha nṛpo nirviśaṅkas tapodhanam | krīḍāratho 'stu bhagavan uta sāṅgrāmiko rathaḥ ||
Maka raja yang kini bebas dari keraguan berkata kepada sang pertapa, “Baiklah, wahai Bhagawan. Katakan—haruskah kereta dibuat untuk permainan dan peragaan, atau sebagai kereta yang layak untuk pertempuran?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment in royal action: the same resource (a chariot) can serve harmless recreation or warfare. Dharma depends on purpose and intention, and a king should seek wise counsel before choosing a course that may lead to violence.
In Bhīṣma’s narration, the king, reassured and no longer doubtful, addresses an ascetic and asks a practical but value-laden question: whether to prepare a chariot meant for sport or one designed for battle.