Shloka 14
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
मृत्युरात्मेच्छया यस्य जातस्य मनुजेष्वपि । तथानपत्यस्य सतः पुण्यलोका दिवि श्रुता:
mṛtyur ātma-icchayā yasya jātasya manuṣeṣv api | tathā anapatyasya sataḥ puṇya-lokā divi śrutāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Though born among human beings, he brought even death under the control of his own will. And although he remained without offspring, the meritorious worlds destined for him are renowned in heaven.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights inner sovereignty: through exceptional self-mastery one can become ‘master of death’ (i.e., not driven helplessly by fear or compulsion). It also teaches that spiritual merit and heavenly attainment are not dependent solely on lineage or having children; virtue and disciplined life can lead to celebrated blessed realms even for one who is childless.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a remarkable person whose will is so powerful that death is said to be under his control. He further notes that despite lacking offspring, this person’s destined meritorious heavenly worlds are well-known among the gods—underscoring the esteem accorded to his virtue.