Adhyāya 59: On Giving to the Asker and Supporting the Non-asking (याचक-अयाचक-दाने धर्मः)
गाधे्दुहितरं प्राप्य पौत्रीं तव महातपा: । ब्राह्माणं क्षत्रधर्माणं पुत्रमुत्पादयिष्यति
Gādher duhitaraṁ prāpya pautrīṁ tava mahātapāḥ | brāhmaṇaṁ kṣatradharmāṇaṁ putram utpādayiṣyati ||
得娶迦陀(Gādhi)之女——亦即汝之外孙女——大苦行者Ṛcīka将生一子:生而为婆罗门,却具刹帝利之行与气魄。此段揭示出身(jāti/varṇa)与禀性、行法(dharma/saṁskāra)之间的伦理张力,并预示那被请求的“刹帝利性”之转移,将如何跨世代影响其族系。
व्यववन उवाच
The verse highlights the distinction and potential conflict between varṇa by birth (brāhmaṇa) and dharma/temperament by qualities (kṣatra-dharma), suggesting that ethical identity is not only inherited but can be shaped and redirected through intention, request, and the power of tapas.
The speaker states that the ascetic Ṛcīka, after marrying Gādhi’s daughter (who is also the listener’s granddaughter), will beget a son who is Brahmin by birth yet Kṣatriya in disposition—foreshadowing a later shift of ‘kṣatriya-nature’ within the family line at the wife’s request.