Shloka 51
Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 5 — Karmaphala-Nirdeśa and Phalāśruti (कर्मफलनिर्देशः फलश्रुतिश्च)
जयो नामेतिहासो<यं श्रोतव्यो मोक्षमिच्छता । ब्राह्मणेन च राज्ञा च गर्भिण्या चैव योषिता,मोक्षकी इच्छा रखनेवाले ब्राह्मणको, राज्य चाहनेवाले क्षत्रियको तथा उत्तम पुत्र॒की इच्छा रखनेवाली गर्भिणी स्त्रीकों भी इस जय नामक इतिहासका श्रवण करना चाहिये
jayo nāmetihāso 'yaṃ śrotavyo mokṣam icchatā | brāhmaṇena ca rājñā ca garbhiṇyā caiva yoṣitā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: This narrative called “Jaya” should be listened to by one who seeks liberation. It should also be heard by a brāhmaṇa, by a king, and likewise by a pregnant woman who longs for an excellent son—thus commending this sacred history as beneficial for spiritual freedom, righteous rule, and worthy progeny.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the spiritual efficacy of śravaṇa (reverent listening): the Itihāsa called ‘Jaya’ is recommended as a means toward mokṣa, and as a source of dharmic benefit for different life-goals—wisdom for the brāhmaṇa, righteous governance for the king, and auspicious progeny for the pregnant woman.
In the Svargārohaṇa context, Vaiśampāyana pauses to praise the Mahābhārata tradition under the name ‘Jaya’, prescribing who should listen to it and implying its broad, auspicious fruit across spiritual, social, and familial spheres.