Shloka 40
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
कांक्षामस्तु वयं सर्वे वरं दातुं महर्षिणा । षष्ठ: शिष्यो न ते ख्यातिं गच्छेदत्र प्रसीद न:
kāṅkṣāmastu vayaṃ sarve varaṃ dātuṃ maharṣiṇā | ṣaṣṭhaḥ śiṣyo na te khyātiṃ gacched atra prasīda naḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच— वयं सर्वे महर्षिणा वरं दातुम् अभिकाङ्क्षामः— यथा तव षष्ठः शिष्योऽत्र ख्यातिं न गच्छेत्। अस्मासु एतावतीं कृपां कुरु, प्रसीद नः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension around fame (khyāti) and spiritual authority: disciples and onlookers may seek to regulate renown through a boon, implying that reputation can become a source of rivalry, pride, or disturbance, and that restraint over public acclaim is valued in a dharmic setting.
Bhīṣma voices a collective request to a great sage: they want the sage to grant a boon such that the sage’s ‘sixth disciple’ will not become renowned. It is framed as a plea for the sage’s favor, suggesting a negotiated or precautionary request within an ascetic-disciple context.