Shloka 16
Śāṃtanu’s Ideal Rule; Devavrata’s Return; The Satyavatī Marriage Condition and Bhīṣma’s Vow (आदि पर्व, अध्याय ९४)
वैशम्पायन उवाच तेडधिरुहय रथान् सर्वे प्रयाता नृपसत्तमा: । आक्रमन्तो दिवं भाभिर्धमेणावृत्य रोदसी,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर वे सभी नृपश्रेष्ठ उन दिव्य रथोंपर आरूढ़ हो धर्मके बलसे स्वर्गमें पहुँचनेके लिये चल दिये। उस समय पृथ्वी और आकाशमें उनकी प्रभा व्याप्त हो रही थी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | te 'dhiruhya rathān sarve prayātā nṛpasattamāḥ | ākramanto divaṃ bhābhir dharmeṇāvṛtya rodasī |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces todos aquellos reyes eminentes subieron a sus carros y partieron para alcanzar el cielo. Al avanzar hacia lo alto, colmaron de resplandor la tierra y el firmamento, como si el poder del dharma hubiera extendido su manto sobre ambos mundos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links righteous power (dharma) with uplift and transcendence: the kings’ ascent is portrayed not merely as travel but as a moral-cosmic movement where dharma manifests as radiance that pervades and harmonizes earth and sky.
After the preceding events, the foremost kings mount divine chariots and depart toward heaven. Their splendor spreads through the whole expanse—earth and sky—emphasizing the grandeur and auspiciousness of their dharma-supported journey.