Shloka 36
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
बहूव्य:कोट्यस्त्वृषीणां तु ब्रह्मलोके वसन्त्युत । सत्ये रतानां सतत दान्तानामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्
bahvyaḥ koṭyas tv ṛṣīṇāṁ tu brahmaloke vasanty uta | satye ratānāṁ satataṁ dāntānām ūrdhvaretasām ||
Bhishma dit : «Oui, dans le Brahmaloka demeurent d’innombrables crores de sages : ceux qui, en ce monde, furent toujours voués à la vérité, maîtres d’eux-mêmes, et d’une énergie vitale tournée vers le haut (ūrdhvaretaḥ), c’est-à-dire des célibataires inébranlables toute leur vie.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that unwavering commitment to truth (satya), disciplined restraint of the senses (dama), and firm celibate continence (ūrdhvaretas/naishṭhika brahmacarya) are exalted virtues that lead sages to the highest divine realm, Brahmaloka.
Bhishma, instructing on dharma in the Anushasana Parva, describes the inhabitants of Brahmaloka: countless sages who, while living in the world, consistently practiced truthfulness, self-control, and strict continence, thereby attaining residence in that supreme realm.