Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
मयाभिपणन्ना देवाश्ष मोदन्ते शाश्व॒ती: समा: । इन्द्रो विवस्वान् सोमश्न विष्णुरापोडग्निरेव च
mayābhipaṇṇā devāś ca modante śāśvatīḥ samāḥ | indro vivasvān somaś ca viṣṇur āpo 'gnir eva ca ||
আমার আশ্রয় গ্রহণ করে দেবতারা অনন্ত বছর আনন্দে থাকে। ইন্দ্র, বিবস্বান (সূর্য), সোম (চন্দ্র), বিষ্ণু, আপঃ (জলদেবতা) ও অগ্নি—সকলেই আমার রক্ষণে অবিরত কল্যাণ ভোগ করে।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse emphasizes the power of refuge and protection: when beings—here even the gods—abide under a rightful support, they flourish and remain joyful. It highlights a dharmic ideal of sustaining others and being a dependable shelter.
Bhishma is speaking in the Anushasana Parva and, in a laudatory context, declares that major deities (Indra, Sun, Moon, Vishnu, Waters, Agni) prosper because they dwell under his shelter—asserting his role as a sustaining support within the discourse.