Shloka 40
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
कुशिक बोले--भगवन्! भृगुश्रेष्ठी मैं आपके निकट उसी प्रकार रहा हूँ, जैसे कोई प्रज्वलित अग्निके बीचमें खड़ा हो। उस अवस्थामें रहकर भी मैं जलकर भस्म नहीं हुआ, यही मेरे लिये बहुत बड़ी बात है। भृगुनन्दन! यही मैंने महान् वर प्राप्त कर लिया ।।
Kuśika uvāca—bhagavan! bhṛguśreṣṭhin, ahaṃ tava nikaṭe tathā avatiṣṭhe yathā kaścid dīptāgnimadhye tiṣṭhet. tām avasthāṃ prāpya api na dagdhaḥ na ca bhasmībhūtaḥ—etad eva mama mahad āścaryam. bhṛgunandana! etad eva mayā mahān varaḥ prāptaḥ. yat prīto ’si mayā, brahman, kulaṃ trātaṃ ca me ’nagha; eṣa me ’nugraho vipra, jīvite ca prayojanam. niṣpāpa brahmarṣe! bhavān yat prasannaḥ, yat ca mama kulaṃ nāśāt trātavān—etad eva mayi tava guruḥ anugrahaḥ; etāvatā eva mama jīvitasyārthaḥ saṃpannaḥ.
Kuśika disse: “Venerável senhor, o melhor entre os Bhṛgus, permaneci junto de ti como quem está de pé no meio de um fogo ardente. E, mesmo assim, não fui reduzido a cinzas—só isto já é para mim um grande prodígio. Ó descendente de Bhṛgu, este é o grande dom que obtive. Que estejas satisfeito comigo, ó brâmane, e que tenhas salvado a minha linhagem da destruição—essa é a tua poderosa graça para comigo. Com apenas isto, ó Brahmarṣi sem pecado, o próprio propósito da minha vida foi cumprido.”
कुशिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
True blessing is not merely a material gift but the grace of the righteous and the preservation of dharmic continuity—here symbolized by the saving of one’s lineage. Kuśika treats the sage’s satisfaction and protection as the highest boon, showing humility and valuing ethical approval over external rewards.
Kuśika addresses a Bhṛgu-line sage, saying that living near him felt like standing amid blazing fire—an image for intense spiritual power and testing. He marvels that he was not ‘burned’ (i.e., not destroyed by the ordeal) and declares that the sage’s pleasure and the rescue of his family line from ruin are the supreme favor that fulfills his life’s purpose.