Shloka 25
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
वरं ददामि ते हन्त वृणीष्व त्वं यदिच्छसि । यच्चाप्यवाप्यं हृदि ते सर्व तद् ब्रूहि माचिरम्
varaṁ dadāmi te hanta vṛṇīṣva tvaṁ yad icchasi | yac cāpy avāpyaṁ hṛdi te sarva tad brūhi mā ciram ||
“Ta ban cho ngươi một ân huệ—hãy chọn điều ngươi muốn. Bất cứ ước nguyện nào trong lòng ngươi, miễn là có thể đạt được, hãy nói hết ra, chớ chần chừ.”
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral accountability in desire: one should articulate one’s aims clearly and promptly, recognizing that even legitimate (attainable) wishes, when granted as boons, carry ethical consequences and require discernment.
Matanga, speaking with the authority of an ascetic, offers a boon to the other party and urges them to state without delay whatever wish they hold in their heart, provided it is something that can be attained.