Shloka 2
Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । गोभिननपेह संवादं श्रिया भरतसत्तम,भीष्मजीने कहा--भरतश्रेष्ठ! नरेश्वर! इस विषयमें विज्ञ पुरुष गौ और लक्ष्मीके संवादरूप इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | gobhiḥ śriyā ca bharatasattama saṁvādam ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಭರತಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನೇ! ಈ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಪಂಡಿತರು ಒಂದು ಪುರಾತನ ಇತಿಹಾಸವನ್ನು ಉದಾಹರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ— ಗೋವುಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೀ (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ)ಯ ಸಂವಾದವನ್ನು.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames his instruction through an authoritative precedent: ethical guidance is strengthened by recalling ancient exemplars (itihāsa). By introducing the Cow–Śrī dialogue, he signals a teaching about how prosperity (Śrī) relates to righteous conduct and social values symbolized by the cow.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative story. Addressing Yudhiṣṭhira, he says that wise people cite an ancient account—specifically a dialogue between the Cow and Śrī (Lakṣmī)—as an example relevant to the topic under discussion.