Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 27
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
पुनरेव च विप्रर्षि: प्रोवाच कुशिकं नूपम् | सभार्यों मां रथेनाशु वह यत्र ब्रवीम्यहम्
punar eva ca viprarṣiḥ provāca kuśikaṃ nṛpam | sa-bhāryo māṃ rathenāśu vaha yatra bravīmy aham ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Pagkaraan, muling nagsalita ang brahmarshi kay Haring Kushika: ‘Kasama ang iyong asawa, ipahila ninyo ang inyong sarili sa karwahe at dalhin ninyo ako nang mabilis saanman ko iutos.’” Sa salaysay, ang utos na ito’y kasunod ng masusing paglilingkod at pagsubok; nang wala siyang makita ni katiting na pagkukulang sa asal ng hari, lalo niyang pinatindi ang pagsubok upang ipakita ng pinuno ang di-matitinag na kababaang-loob, pagsunod, at pagpipigil-sa-sarili—mga birtud na itinataas higit sa dangal at aliw ng pagkahari.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline through humility and service: even a king must restrain ego and submit to righteous testing by a sage, showing that inner virtue and obedience to ethical authority outweigh status and comfort.
After being served and observed, the sage addresses King Kushika again and orders him—along with his wife—to yoke themselves to a chariot and carry the sage swiftly wherever he commands, escalating the test of the king’s patience, devotion, and self-control.