Shloka 17
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
यदि राज्यं यदि धनं यदि गा: संशितव्रत । यज्ञदानानि च तथा ब्रहि सर्व ददामि ते
yadi rājyaṃ yadi dhanaṃ yadi gāḥ saṃśitavrata | yajñadānāni ca tathā brūhi sarvaṃ dadāmi te ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O pantas na matatag at mahigpit sa mga panata, kung kaharian man, kung yaman man, kung mga baka man, o mga handog na inilaan para sa yajña—sabihin mo lamang. Ibibigay ko ang lahat. Ang palasyong ito, ang kahariang ito, at ang trono ng paghahari na itinatag ayon sa dharma—lahat ay iyo. Ikaw ang hari—ingatan mo ang daigdig na ito. At ako naman, mananatiling lingkod magpakailanman, masunurin sa iyong utos.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic generosity and humility: a ruler (or elder statesman) should be ready to relinquish even supreme possessions—kingdom, wealth, cattle, and ritual gifts—when confronted with a higher moral or spiritual claim, and should place righteous authority above personal attachment.
Bhīṣma addresses an austere sage and offers him whatever he might desire—political power, material wealth, cattle, or sacrificial donations—going so far as to say the throne and governance are the sage’s, while Bhīṣma will remain obedient, underscoring deference to spiritual merit and dharmic legitimacy.