Shloka 10
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
तथा शैलालयो राजा भगदत्तपितामह: । तपोबलेनैव नृपो महेन्द्रसदनं गत:,इसी प्रकार भगदत्तके पिता महाराजा शैलालय भी तपस्याके बलसे ही इन्द्रलोकको गये हैं
tathā śailālayaḥ rājā bhagadatta-pitāmahaḥ | tapo-balenaiva nṛpo mahendra-sadanaṃ gataḥ ||
সেইদৰে ভগদত্তৰ পিতামহ ৰজা শৈলালয়ো কেৱল তপোবলৰ দ্বাৰাই মহেন্দ্ৰৰ সদনলৈ গ’ল।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s valuation of tapas (austerity and disciplined self-restraint) as a potent source of spiritual merit capable of leading even a king to Indra’s heaven, emphasizing inner discipline over mere worldly power.
Nārada continues citing exemplars: he mentions King Śailālaya, identified as Bhagadatta’s grandsire, and states that this king attained Indra’s abode through the strength of his austerities.