Shloka 21
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
नियम किंचिदारप्स्ये युवयोर्यदि रोचते । परिचर्योडस्मि यत्ताभ्यां युवाभ्यामविशड्कया
niyamaṁ kiñcid ārabhsye yuvayor yadi rocate | paricaryā udasmi yat tābhyāṁ yuvābhyām aviśaṅkayā ||
اگر تم دونوں کو پسند ہو تو میں ایک قاعدہ شروع کروں گا؛ اس قاعدے کے تحت تم دونوں—شوہر اور بیوی—بلا تردّد اور بلا جھجک میری خدمت کرو گے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined ethical conduct (niyama) expressed through attentive, wholehearted service (paricaryā) performed without hesitation or suspicion—highlighting trust, duty, and steadiness in caregiving and obedience to a prescribed rule.
Bhishma proposes to institute a specific observance and seeks the consent of a couple; he then states the condition of that observance: the husband and wife must serve him carefully and without misgiving, indicating a structured test or discipline centered on devoted attendance.