Shloka 19
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
मया त्वं यज्ञसंसिद्धौ नियुक्तो गुरुकर्मणि । कस्मात् प्रतिनिवृत्तोडसि कच्चिन्न कुशलं तव,बेटा! मैंने तो तुम्हें यज्ञ करानेके भारी कार्यपर लगा रखा था, फिर तुम लौट कैसे आये? तुम कुशलसे तो हो न?
mayā tvaṃ yajñasaṃsiddhau niyukto gurukarmaṇi | kasmāt pratinivṛtto 'si kaccin na kuśalaṃ tava ||
باپ نے کہا—“بیٹے! میں نے تمہیں یَجْن کو کمال تک پہنچانے کے بھاری کام پر مقرر کیا تھا۔ پھر تم کیوں لوٹ آئے؟ کیا تم خیریت سے ہو؟”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as responsible follow-through: when someone is entrusted with an important duty (especially a sacrificial or communal obligation), withdrawing without explanation is ethically significant. It also models compassionate leadership—checking on a subordinate’s welfare before judging the lapse.
Bhishma addresses a younger person whom he had assigned to an important role in completing a sacrifice. Seeing him return unexpectedly, Bhishma asks why he has come back and whether he is safe and well.