Shloka 17

Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मदत्तश्न पाज्चाल्यो राजा धर्मभृतां वर: । निर्धि शड्खमनुज्ञाप्प जगाम परमां गतिम्‌,पाञ्चालदेशके राजा धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मदत्तने ब्राह्यणको शंखनामक निधि प्रदान करके परम गति प्राप्त कर ली थी

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | brahmadattaś ca pāñcālyo rājā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | nidhim śaṅkham anupradāya jagāma paramāṃ gatim ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “King Brahmadatta of Pañcāla, foremost among upholders of dharma, bestowed upon a brāhmaṇa a treasure called ‘Shankha’ and, through that righteous generosity, attained the highest state.”

Word by Word

ब्रह्मदत्तःBrahmadatta (name)

पाञ्चाल्यःthe Panchala (king), belonging to Panchala

राजाking

धर्मभृताम्of the upholders of dharma

वरःbest, excellent

निधिम्treasure, deposit

शङ्खम्conch (named Śaṅkha)

अनुज्ञाप्यhaving granted/authorized (having given permission)

जगामwent, attained

परमाम्supreme, highest

गतिम्state, course, final destination

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Brahmadatta

Panchala (Pañcāla-deśa)

a Brahmin (brāhmaṇa)

Shankha (Śaṅkha) treasure (nidhi)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler’s greatness is measured by dharma expressed through generosity: relinquishing wealth for a worthy recipient (here, a Brahmin) becomes a direct cause of spiritual elevation and the attainment of the highest destiny.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma cites an exemplum: King Brahmadatta of Panchala gives a treasure named Shankha to a Brahmin, and as a result of this righteous gift he attains the supreme state—presented as evidence for the power of dāna aligned with dharma.