Shloka 8
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
तथा देवा महात्मानो वसवश्षामितौजस: । तथैव च महात्मानावदश्चिनौ भिषजां वरौ । तथा वैश्रवणो राजा गुह्म॒कैरभिसंवृत:
tathā devā mahātmāno vasavaś cāmitaujasaḥ | tathaiva ca mahātmānāv aśvinau bhiṣajāṃ varau | tathā vaiśravaṇo rājā guhyakair abhisaṃvṛtaḥ |
Bhishma said: In that same way, many great-souled gods, the Vasus of immeasurable splendor, and likewise the two Ashvins—noble-minded and foremost among physicians—also worshipped the Supreme Lord Mahadeva. So too did King Vaishravana (Kubera), surrounded by the Guhyakas. The teaching is that even the most powerful celestial beings, endowed with wealth, rank, and extraordinary abilities, uphold dharma by reverent devotion to Mahadeva rather than by pride in their own power.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That true greatness is shown through humility and devotion: even exalted gods and powerful rulers like Kubera honor Mahadeva, modeling dharmic conduct that restrains pride and aligns power with reverence.
Bhishma is listing eminent celestial beings—Vasus, the Ashvin twins, and Kubera with his Guhyaka retinue—as examples of those who worship Mahadeva, reinforcing Shiva’s supreme venerability in this discourse.