Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 13
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये सर्वभूतानि देवराट् । वसिष्ठो जीवयामास येन यातो$क्षयां गतिम्
avarṣati ca parjanye sarvabhūtāni devarāṭ | vasiṣṭho jīvayāmāsa yena yāto 'kṣayāṃ gatim ||
भीष्म ने कहा— जब वर्षा नहीं हुई और समस्त प्राणी पीड़ित हो उठे, तब मुनिवर वसिष्ठ ने उन्हें जीवनदान दिया; उसी पुण्य से उन्होंने अक्षय गति प्राप्त की।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustaining and protecting life in times of crisis is a supreme dharmic act; such compassion and beneficence are said to yield enduring, ‘imperishable’ spiritual merit and destiny.
Bhishma recalls a time of drought when rain did not fall and beings were perishing; the sage Vasiṣṭha intervened and revived them, and that act is linked with their attainment of an imperishable state.