Shloka 4
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
शिबिरौशीनर: प्राणान् प्रियस्य तनयस्य च । ब्राह्मणार्थमुपाकृत्य नाकपृष्ठमितो गत:
śibirauśīnaraḥ prāṇān priyasya tanayasya ca | brāhmaṇārtham upākṛtya nākapṛṣṭham ito gataḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Le roi Śibi, de la lignée des Uśīnara, pour l’amour d’un brāhmaṇa, offrit sa propre vie — et même celle de son fils bien-aimé — puis quitta ce monde pour gagner le séjour céleste.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dharma-centered giving (dāna) may demand extreme personal sacrifice; honoring a righteous brāhmaṇa’s claim and keeping one’s moral commitment is portrayed as so meritorious that it leads to heavenly attainment.
Bhīṣma cites King Śibi as an exemplar: Śibi fulfills a brāhmaṇa’s purpose by offering even his own life and his beloved son’s life, and after completing this act of sacrifice he departs from the human world to heaven (nākapṛṣṭha).