Shloka 24
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
असितो देवलश्वचैव देवयज्ञमुपागमन् । ततो देवा महात्मान ईजिरे यज्ञमच्युतम्
asito devalaś caiva devayajñam upāgaman | tato devā mahātmāna ījire yajñam acyutam ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন— অসিত ও দেবল দেবযজ্ঞে উপস্থিত হলেন। তখন মহাত্মা দেবগণ অচ্যুতের সেই অব্যর্থ যজ্ঞ সম্পাদন করলেন।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic ideal that properly conducted yajña (sacrificial duty) sustains divine order: sages approach sacred rites, and even the gods uphold ritual responsibility, highlighting reverence, discipline, and continuity of sacred practice.
Bhishma narrates that the sages Asita and Devala came to a divine sacrificial occasion; following this, the gods themselves carried out the sacrifice, described as ‘acyuta’—unfailing or perfectly accomplished.