Shloka 49
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
हार्योयं विषयो ब्रह्मन् गान्धर्वो नाम नामतः । छन््दतो वर्ततां विप्र यथा वदति वा भवान्,“ब्रह्मन! यह नृत्य-गीतका विषय जिसे “गान्धर्व” नाम दिया गया है बड़ा मनोहारी है; अतः यदि आपकी इच्छा हो तो यह आयोजन कुछ दिन और इसी तरह चलता रहे अथवा विप्रवर! आप जैसी आज्ञा दें वैसा किया जाय
hāryo’yaṁ viṣayo brahman gāndharvo nāma nāmataḥ | chandato vartatāṁ vipra yathā vadati vā bhavān ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Brahmin, bidang nyanyian dan tarian yang dinamakan ‘Gāndharva’ ini sungguh mempesona. Maka, jika tuan berkenan, biarlah persembahan ini diteruskan beberapa hari lagi dengan cara yang sama; atau, wahai yang terbaik antara para Brahmin, biarlah ia dilakukan tepat seperti perintah tuan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dhārmic courtesy and restraint: even when something is pleasing, Bhishma defers to the decision of the learned Brahmin, showing respect for authority, propriety, and right conduct in communal settings.
Bhishma comments on an ongoing musical-dance performance (called Gāndharva), praising its charm and then inviting the Brahmin to decide whether it should continue for more days or be arranged differently according to his instruction.