Shloka 21
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
नियम किंचिदारप्स्ये युवयोर्यदि रोचते । परिचर्योडस्मि यत्ताभ्यां युवाभ्यामविशड्कया
niyamaṁ kiñcid ārabhsye yuvayor yadi rocate | paricaryā udasmi yat tābhyāṁ yuvābhyām aviśaṅkayā ||
नियमं किञ्चिदारप्स्ये युवयोर्यदि रोचते । परिचर्यौऽस्मि यत्ताभ्यां युवाभ्यामविशङ्कया ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined ethical conduct (niyama) expressed through attentive, wholehearted service (paricaryā) performed without hesitation or suspicion—highlighting trust, duty, and steadiness in caregiving and obedience to a prescribed rule.
Bhishma proposes to institute a specific observance and seeks the consent of a couple; he then states the condition of that observance: the husband and wife must serve him carefully and without misgiving, indicating a structured test or discipline centered on devoted attendance.