Shloka 55
यक्ष उवाच किंस्विदावपतां श्रेष्ठ किंस्विन्निवपतां वरम् | किंस्वित् प्रतिष्ठमानानां किंस्वित् प्रसवतां वरम्
yakṣa uvāca kiṁ svid āvapatāṁ śreṣṭhaṁ kiṁ svin nivapatāṁ varam | kiṁ svit pratiṣṭhamānānāṁ kiṁ svit prasavatāṁ varam ||
ಯಕ್ಷನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಹೊಲ ಉಳುಮೆ ಮಾಡುವವರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವಾದುದು ಏನು? ಬೀಜ ಬಿತ್ತುವವರಿಗೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮವಾದುದು ಏನು? ಸ್ಥಿರವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಬಯಸುವವರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಆಧಾರ ಏನು? ಮತ್ತು ಸಂತಾನವನ್ನು ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುವವರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವಾದುದು ಏನು?
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry through agrarian metaphors—sowing, reaping, establishing oneself, and producing—prompting reflection on what truly counts as ‘best’ in each sphere: the right intention behind action, the right means of gaining results, the foundation of stability, and the highest form of fruitful output.
In the Yaksha–Yudhishthira dialogue at the forest lake, the Yaksha poses successive riddle-like questions. This verse is one such set, testing discernment about values—what is truly excellent in effort, in gain, in steadiness, and in generative power—before granting boons or relief.