Shloka 19
Adhyāya 39 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on attachment (saṅga) and relational restraint
भीष्म उवाच श्रुत्वैतद् वचन शक्रो दानवेन्द्रमुखाच्च्युतम् । द्विजान् सम्पूजयामास महेन्द्रत्वमवाप च,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--भारत! दानवराज शम्बरके मुखसे यह वचन सुनकर इन्द्रने ब्राह्मणोंका पूजन किया, इससे उन्हें महेन्द्रपदकी प्राप्ति हुई
bhīṣma uvāca śrutvaitad vacanaṃ śakro dānavendramukhāccyutam | dvijān sampūjayāmāsa mahendratvam avāpa ca ||
Bhishma said: O Bharata, having heard these words that issued from the mouth of the lord of the Dānavas (Śambara), Śakra (Indra) honored the Brahmins; and by that act he attained the status of Mahendra. The passage underscores that reverence to the learned and righteous is a direct cause of exalted sovereignty and divine prosperity.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Honoring the dvijas (Brahmins/the Vedic learned) is presented as a powerful dharmic act that yields sovereignty and exalted status; Indra’s attainment of Mahendra-hood is linked causally to his respectful worship of Brahmins.
Bhishma narrates that Indra (Śakra), after hearing counsel spoken by the Danava-king Śambara, proceeded to honor the Brahmins; as a result of this dharmic conduct, he attained the rank and glory of Mahendra.