Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
वर्तितं भूगुशार्दूल यन्न दग्धो5स्मि तद् बहु । एष एव वरो मुख्य: प्राप्तो मे भूगुनन्दन
vartitaṁ bhṛguśārdūla yan na dagdho ’smi tad bahu | eṣa eva varo mukhyaḥ prāpto me bhṛgunandana ||
俱尸迦说道:“噢,婆利古族中的猛虎,我历经此番考验而未被焚烧——此本身便是大恩赐。噢,婆利古族之欢悦,这一件便是降临于我的至上福分。”
कुशिक उवाच
The verse highlights that moral integrity and inner purity are themselves the highest reward: surviving an ordeal unscathed is valued not merely as a miracle, but as confirmation of righteousness, making that confirmation the ‘foremost boon.’
Kuśika addresses a Bhṛgu-descended sage, stating that he has undergone a severe test (implied to involve fire) and was not burned; he interprets this outcome as the greatest blessing he could receive.