Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजोवाच कृतं सर्वेण भद्रं ते जप्यं यद् याचितं मया । स्वस्ति ते5स्तु गमिष्यामि किड्च तस्य फलं वद
rājovāca kṛtaṃ sarveṇa bhadraṃ te japyaṃ yad yācitaṃ mayā | svasti te 'stu gamiṣyāmi kiñca tasya phalaṃ vada ||
ରାଜା କହିଲେ—ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ! ଜପର ଫଳ ବିଷୟରେ ମୁଁ ଯାହା ଯାଚିଥିଲି, ସେ ସବୁ ସିଦ୍ଧ ହୋଇଗଲା। ତୁମର ମଙ୍ଗଳ ହେଉ, କୁଶଳ ହେଉ। ମୁଁ ଏବେ ଯାଉଛି; କିନ୍ତୁ ସେହି ସାଧନାର ଫଳ କ’ଣ, କହ।
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights the dharmic concern for understanding not only the performance of a religious act (japa) but also its ethical and spiritual outcome (phala). It frames practice as meaningful when its purpose and result are clearly understood.
The king addresses a Brahmin, expressing that his request concerning a sacred recitation has been satisfied, offers blessings, and prepares to leave—yet he asks the Brahmin to state explicitly what fruit or benefit that recitation yields.