Shloka 12
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
यत्तु तावदतिक्रान्तं धर्मद्वारं तपोधन । तत्कार्य प्रकरिष्यामि तदनुज्ञातुमहसि
yat tu tāvad atikrāntaṃ dharmadvāraṃ tapodhana | tat kāryaṃ prakarīṣyāmi tad anujñātum arhasi ||
“لیکن اے تپودھن! جہاں دھرم کا دروازہ پہلے ہی پار ہو چکا ہے، اس بارے میں جو کرنا لازم ہے وہ میں اب کروں گا؛ آپ کو اس کی اجازت دینی چاہیے۔”
कुशिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the boundary of dharma has been crossed, one should not remain in confusion or self-justification; instead, one must determine the appropriate remedial action and seek the sanction of a qualified moral authority (here, an ascetic sage).
Kuśika addresses an ascetic, acknowledging that a critical moral boundary (“the gate of dharma”) has already been transgressed, and announces that he will now explain or undertake the necessary course of action—requesting the sage’s permission/approval.