Shloka 12
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
यत्तु तावदतिक्रान्तं धर्मद्वारं तपोधन । तत्कार्य प्रकरिष्यामि तदनुज्ञातुमहसि
yat tu tāvad atikrāntaṃ dharmadvāraṃ tapodhana | tat kāryaṃ prakarīṣyāmi tad anujñātum arhasi ||
“परंतु, हे तपोधन! जिथे धर्माचे द्वार आतापर्यंत ओलांडले गेले आहे, त्या बाबतीत जे करणे आवश्यक आहे ते मी आता करीन; त्यास आपण अनुमती द्यावी.”
कुशिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the boundary of dharma has been crossed, one should not remain in confusion or self-justification; instead, one must determine the appropriate remedial action and seek the sanction of a qualified moral authority (here, an ascetic sage).
Kuśika addresses an ascetic, acknowledging that a critical moral boundary (“the gate of dharma”) has already been transgressed, and announces that he will now explain or undertake the necessary course of action—requesting the sage’s permission/approval.