Shloka 19
Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
श्रीझ्वाच अवज्ञाता भविष्यामि सर्वलोकस्य मानदा: । प्रत्याख्यानेन युष्माकं प्रसाद: क्रियतां मम
śrīr uvāca—avajñātā bhaviṣyāmi sarvalokasya mānadāḥ | pratyākhyānena yuṣmākaṃ prasādaḥ kriyatāṃ mama ||
Śrī (Lakṣmī) berkata: “Wahai sapi-sapi yang memuliakan makhluk lain! Jika kalian menolak dan meninggalkanku, aku akan menjadi terhina dan diabaikan oleh seluruh dunia. Karena itu, berkenanlah kepadaku—anugerahkanlah penerimaanmu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prosperity and social esteem are shown as relational: Śrī (Lakṣmī) depends on being welcomed and honored by the worthy (here, the cows who ‘give honor’). Rejection of auspiciousness leads to loss of regard in the world; hence one should cultivate receptivity to dharma-aligned prosperity and extend grace rather than contempt.
Within Bhīṣma’s discourse, Śrī (Lakṣmī) addresses the cows, pleading not to be cast off. She argues that if they abandon her, she will become despised by all, and therefore asks them to grant her favor and acceptance.