Shloka 7
अश्वमेध-उपदेशः तथा मरुत्त-यज्ञ-धन-प्रसङ्गः
Counsel on Aśvamedha and the Marutta-treasure episode
यज्ैरेव महात्मानो बभूवुरधिका: सुरा: । ततो देवा: क्रियावन्तो दानवानभ्यधर्षयन्,यज्ञोंद्वारा ही महामनस्वी देवताओंका महत्त्व अधिक हुआ है और यज्ञोंसे ही क्रियानिष्ठ देवताओंने दानवोंको परास्त किया है
yajñair eva mahātmāno babhūvur adhikāḥ surāḥ | tato devāḥ kriyāvanto dānavān abhyadharṣayan ||
Vyāsa said: “It was through sacrifices (yajñas) that the great-souled gods attained superior eminence. Thereafter, being steadfast in sacred rites and disciplined action, the gods overcame and subdued the Dānavas.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that yajña—understood as disciplined, prescribed sacred action—builds spiritual and social power (adhikā) and supports the triumph of dharma (order) over adharma (disruptive forces).
Vyāsa explains a mythic-historical principle: the devas gained greater status through yajñas, and by being steadfast in ritual action they were able to overcome the Dānavas, their adversarial counterparts.