Shloka 5
Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
इच्छाम त्वां वयं ज्ञातुं का त्वं क्व च गमिष्यसि । तत्त्वेन वरवर्णाभे सर्वमेतद् ब्रवीहि न:
icchāma tvāṁ vayaṁ jñātuṁ kā tvaṁ kva ca gamiṣyasi | tattvena varavarṇābhe sarvam etad bravīhi naḥ ||
நாங்கள் உன்னை உண்மையாக அறிய விரும்புகிறோம்—நீ யார், எங்கே செல்கிறாய்? சிறந்த நிறமுடைய அழகியவளே, இவை அனைத்தையும் எங்களுக்கு துல்லியமாகச் சொல்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds truthful disclosure (tattvena) and careful inquiry: before judging or acting, one should seek accurate knowledge of a person’s identity and intention, and the other should respond with honesty.
Bhishma addresses a woman respectfully and asks her to state plainly who she is and where she is headed, requesting a complete and truthful account.