Shloka 54
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
भृगुनन्दन! यही मेरे राज्यका और यही मेरी तपस्याका भी फल है। विप्रवर! यदि आपका मुझपर प्रेम हो तो मेरे मनमें एक संदेह है, उसका समाधान करनेकी कृपा करें ।।
Bhṛgunandana! idaṃ mama rājyasya ca idaṃ mama tapasyāyāś ca phalam. Vipravara! yadi tava mayi prema syāt, mama manasi ekaḥ saṃdehaḥ; tasya samādhānaṃ kartum arhasi.
噫，婆利古（Bhṛgu）之后裔！此乃我为王之果报，此亦我苦行（tapas）之果报。噫，婆罗门中之最胜者！若汝对我怀有慈爱，我心中尚有一疑——愿汝垂恩，为我决之。
कुशिक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry as a rightful outcome of both worldly responsibility (kingship) and spiritual discipline (austerity): when power and tapas mature, they should culminate in humility, self-questioning, and seeking guidance from the wise to resolve moral doubt.
Kuśika addresses a Bhṛgu-line sage (Cyavana), acknowledging that his present situation reflects the results of his rule and ascetic practice. He then requests, on the basis of the sage’s goodwill, that a lingering doubt in his mind be clarified—setting up a question-and-answer exchange on dāna-dharma and right conduct.