Shloka 24
अध्याय २८१ — दानधर्मः, न्यायागतधनम्, ऋणत्रय-परिशोधनं च
Dāna ethics, lawful wealth, and settling obligations
ब्रृहि कि ते करोम्यद्य कामं॑ कि त्वमिहेच्छसि,'भाविनि! ये देवताओंके राजा इन्द्र हैं, इन्हें छोड़ दो। मेरा यह प्रिय कार्य करो। बोलो, मैं तुम्हारी कौन-सी अभिलाषा पूर्ण करूँ। तुम जिस किसी मनोरथको पाना चाहो उसे बताओ'
brūhi kiṃ te karomy adya kāmaṃ kiṃ tvam ihecchasi | bhāvini ye devatānāṃ rājendraḥ sa indraḥ enaṃ tyaja | mama etat priyaṃ kāryaṃ kuru | brūhi, ahaṃ tava kāṃ kāṅkṣāṃ pūrayāmi | yaṃ yaṃ manorathaṃ prāptum icchasi taṃ vada ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Dize-me—que posso eu fazer por ti hoje? Que desejas aqui? Deixa de lado Indra, o rei dos deuses. Faze este ato que me é caro. Fala: qual dos teus desejos devo cumprir? Declara o fim que anseias alcançar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical persuasion and the management of desire: one should clearly state one’s aim, weigh competing loyalties (even to exalted figures like Indra), and act in accordance with what is presented as a ‘dear duty’—implying that choices should be made consciously rather than by prestige or fear.
Bhīṣma addresses an auspicious lady, urging her to set aside Indra and instead do what Bhīṣma considers his cherished request. He offers to fulfill any wish she names, inviting her to declare the specific goal she seeks.