Shloka 353
Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवल: । जो राजसूय और पुण्डरीक यज्ञके द्वारा यजन करते हैं, उनके लोकोंमें भी देवलने जैगीषव्यको देखा
teṣāṁ lokeṣv apaśyac ca jaigīṣavyaṁ sa devalaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: In those very worlds—attained by performers of great sacrifices such as the Rājasūya and the Puṇḍarīka—Devala beheld Jaigīṣavya. The tale shows that ritual merit is honored in the cosmic order; yet more striking is the recognition of a realized sage across exalted realms, as though spiritual attainment and renown could surpass even the highest sacrificial rewards.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s karmic worldview: great sacrifices lead to exalted realms, yet the presence and recognition of a sage like Jaigīṣavya within such realms suggests that spiritual stature and realized wisdom are esteemed even amid the highest ritual rewards.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Devala, while observing or moving through the reward-worlds associated with major sacrifices (Rājasūya and Puṇḍarīka), sees the sage Jaigīṣavya there—marking Jaigīṣavya’s distinguished standing in those celestial domains.