Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये सर्वभूतानि देवराट् । वसिष्ठो जीवयामास येन यातो$क्षयां गतिम्
avarṣati ca parjanye sarvabhūtāni devarāṭ | vasiṣṭho jīvayāmāsa yena yāto 'kṣayāṃ gatim ||
قال بهيشما: حين احتبس المطر عانت الكائنات جميعًا. عندئذٍ أعاد الحكيم العظيم فَسِشْتَه الحياةَ إليها؛ وبهذا الفعل المُحيي بلغ حالًا لا يفنى (عالمًا لا يَبلى).
भीष्म उवाच
Sustaining and protecting life in times of crisis is a supreme dharmic act; such compassion and beneficence are said to yield enduring, ‘imperishable’ spiritual merit and destiny.
Bhishma recalls a time of drought when rain did not fall and beings were perishing; the sage Vasiṣṭha intervened and revived them, and that act is linked with their attainment of an imperishable state.