Shloka 20
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
उनके ऐसा कहनेपर भृगुपुत्र च्यवन मन-ही-मन बड़े प्रसन्न हुए और कुशिकसे इस प्रकार बोले-- ।।
bhīṣma uvāca — na rājyaṃ kāmaye rājan na dhanaṃ na ca yoṣitaḥ | na ca gāṃ na ca vai deśān na yajñaḥ śrūyatām idam ||
毗湿摩曰：他既如此言毕，婆利古之子恰瓦那（Cyavana）心中大悦，遂对拘西迦（Kuśika）说道：“大王啊，我不求王权，不求财宝，不求女色；亦不求牛群、土地，甚至不求祭祀之礼（yajña）。请听我此言。”此颂刻画圣者的伦理立场：真正的价值不在政治权势或仪式铺张，而在克制与超越占有之上的更高旨趣。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The sage declares non-attachment: he rejects the usual goals offered to a king—power, wealth, sensual pleasure, property, and even ritual prestige—implying that dharma and higher spiritual aims stand above acquisition and display.
After Kuśika speaks, Cyavana is pleased and responds by refusing worldly rewards. He asks the king to listen, signaling that he will offer counsel or a teaching grounded in restraint rather than bargaining for benefits.