Shloka 11
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
सावित्रयुवाच कि प्रार्थयसि विप्रर्षे किं चेष्टं करवाणि ते । प्रत्रूहि जपतां श्रेष्ठ सर्व तत् ते भविष्यति
Sāvitrī uvāca: kiṁ prārthayasi viprarṣe kiṁ ceṣṭaṁ karavāṇi te | prabrūhi japatāṁ śreṣṭha sarvaṁ tat te bhaviṣyati ||
ସାବିତ୍ରୀ କହିଲେ—ହେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମର୍ଷି! ତୁମେ କ’ଣ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛ? ତୁମ ପାଇଁ କେଉଁ ଅଭୀଷ୍ଟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମୁଁ ସାଧନ କରିବି? ଜପକର୍ତ୍ତାମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ! କହ; ତୁମ ଇଚ୍ଛା ସବୁ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that spiritual merit (japa, disciplined recitation) is honored, but the decisive ethical point is the responsible articulation of desire: when granted the power of fulfillment, one must choose and state wishes aligned with dharma.
Sāvitrī addresses a brahmarṣi and offers to fulfill his desire, asking him to state clearly what he seeks and what service she should perform; she assures him that his expressed wish will be accomplished.