Shloka 30
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
शिष्टानां चरितं होतत् कीर्तितं मे युधिष्ठिर । दानयज्ञप्रजासगैरेते हि दिवमास्थिता:
śiṣṭānāṃ caritaṃ hy etat kīrtitaṃ me yudhiṣṭhira | dāna-yajña-prajā-sargair ete hi divam āsthitāḥ ||
भीष्म बोले—हे युधिष्ठिर! मैंने शिष्ट और धर्मात्मा पुरुषों का यह चरित्र कहा है। ये नरेश दान, यज्ञ और प्रजोत्पत्ति (संतान-परंपरा) द्वारा स्वर्ग में प्रतिष्ठित हुए हैं।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights a classical dharma ideal: exemplary people (śiṣṭa) are known by their conduct, and rulers gain lasting merit through three pillars—generosity (dāna), sacrificial duty (yajña), and responsible continuation of society and lineage (prajā-sarga).
In his instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma concludes a description of the exemplary conduct of righteous kings, stating that such rulers reached heaven by practicing charity, performing sacrifices, and begetting offspring to sustain social order.