Shloka 21
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
महान् यशस्वी राजर्षि सहस्नचित्य ब्राह्मणके लिये अपने प्यारे प्राणोंकी बलि देकर श्रेष्ठ लोकोंमें गये हैं ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | sarvakāmaiḥ samāpūrṇaṃ dattvā veśma hiraṇmayam | maudgalyāya gataḥ svargaṃ śatadyumno mahīpatiḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : Le roi Śatadyumna, après avoir offert au brahmane Maudgalya une demeure d’or, pourvue de tous les agréments et de tout ce que l’on peut désirer, atteignit le ciel. Ce passage met en lumière la force morale d’une générosité totale et désintéressée—surtout envers les dignes—comme devoir royal menant aux mondes les plus élevés.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That wholehearted, complete giving (dāna)—especially by a ruler as part of rājadharma—creates great merit and leads to higher worlds; generosity is presented as a direct ethical path to spiritual reward.
Bhishma cites an exemplum: King Śatadyumna donates a fully furnished golden house to the Brahmin Maudgalya, and as a result of this meritorious act he attains heaven.