Shloka 18
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् ब्रह्म स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् यश: । स्वर्गयोनिस्तपो युद्धे मृत्यु: सो5व्यभिचारवान्
svargayonir mahad brahma svargayonir mahad yaśaḥ | svargayonis tapo yuddhe mṛtyuḥ so 'vyabhicāravān ||
قال كṛṣṇa: «إن البراهمان العظيم—أي المعرفة المقدسة—مصدرٌ للسماء، وإن الشهرة العظيمة المكتسَبة بأعمال الإحسان مصدرٌ للسماء كذلك، والزهدُ والتقشّف (tapas) قد أُعلن أيضًا وسيلةً لبلوغ العالم السماوي. غير أنّ الكشاتريا، فوق هذه الثلاث، إذا اختار الموت في ساحة القتال كان ذلك سبيلًا لا يخطئ إلى السماء—متى اعتنقه دون انحراف عن واجبه (الدارما).»
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Multiple paths are acknowledged as leading to heaven—Vedic learning (brahma), beneficent renown (yaśas), and austerity (tapas)—but for a kṣatriya, steadfastly accepting death in righteous battle is presented as an especially certain means, provided it is aligned with dharma and not motivated by deviation or unrighteousness.
In this passage Kṛṣṇa is speaking in a didactic mode, ranking and comparing recognized dharmic means to attain heavenly merit. The statement frames a value-system where social duty (varṇa-dharma), especially the warrior’s obligation in battle, is treated as a decisive ethical criterion for posthumous reward.