Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
सत्यं च लोकवादो<यं लोके चरति सुव्रता: । स्वयं प्राप्ते परिभवों भवतीति विनिशक्ष॒य:
Bhīṣma uvāca: satyaṃ ca lokavādo ’yaṃ loke carati suvratāḥ | svayaṃ prāpte paribhavo bhavatīti viniścayaḥ ||
Бхишма сказал: «Воистину верна поговорка, что ходит по миру, о коровы превосходных обетов: “кто приходит в чужой дом без приглашения, тот непременно встречает неуважение” — таков твёрдый вывод».
भीष्म उवाच
One should observe social propriety: going uninvited to someone’s home commonly results in slight or disrespect; therefore restraint and respect for boundaries are part of dharma.
Bhishma addresses a group of cows described as ‘of excellent vows,’ affirming a well-known worldly maxim and using it to frame guidance on proper conduct and the consequences of disregarding social norms.