Shloka 21
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
महान् यशस्वी राजर्षि सहस्नचित्य ब्राह्मणके लिये अपने प्यारे प्राणोंकी बलि देकर श्रेष्ठ लोकोंमें गये हैं ।। सर्वकामैश्व सम्पूर्ण दत्त्वा वेश्म हिरण्मयम् । मौद्गल्याय गतः स्वर्ग शतद्युम्नो महीपति:,महाराजा शत्द्युम्नने मौदगल्य नामक ब्राह्मणको समस्त कामनाओंसे परिपूर्ण सुवर्णमय गृह दान देकर स्वर्ग प्राप्त किया है
bhīṣma uvāca | sarvakāmaiḥ samāpūrṇaṃ dattvā veśma hiraṇmayam | maudgalyāya gataḥ svargaṃ śatadyumno mahīpatiḥ ||
Bhishma said: King Śatadyumna, having gifted to the Brahmin Maudgalya a golden house furnished with every desired comfort, attained heaven. This passage proclaims the moral power of complete, selfless giving—especially to worthy recipients—as a kingly duty that leads to exalted worlds.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That wholehearted, complete giving (dāna)—especially by a ruler as part of rājadharma—creates great merit and leads to higher worlds; generosity is presented as a direct ethical path to spiritual reward.
Bhishma cites an exemplum: King Śatadyumna donates a fully furnished golden house to the Brahmin Maudgalya, and as a result of this meritorious act he attains heaven.