Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
एतदू् राज्यफलं चैव तपसश्न॒ फलं मम । यदि त्वं प्रीतिमान् विप्र मयि वै भूगुनन्दन
etad rājyaphalaṃ caiva tapasaś ca phalaṃ mama | yadi tvaṃ prītimān vipra mayi vai bhṛgunandana ||
Kuśika disse: “Isto, de fato, é a recompensa da realeza, e isto também é o fruto das minhas austeridades—se tu, ó brâmane, ó alegria dos Bhṛgus, estás verdadeiramente satisfeito comigo.”
कुशिक उवाच
True success in power (rājya) and in ascetic effort (tapas) is measured by ethical approval and goodwill—especially the satisfaction of a righteous, learned Brahmin—rather than by mere external achievements.
Kuśika addresses a Bhārgava Brahmin with reverence, declaring that the greatest ‘fruit’ of his kingship and austerities is the Brahmin’s pleasure and favorable regard toward him.