Shloka 41
Adhyāya 60: Dāna vs. Yajña—Royal Giving, Protection, and Karmic Share
पितामहस्यानवरो वीरशायी भवेन्नर: । नाधथिकं विद्यते यस्मादित्याहु: परमर्षय:
pitāmahasyānavaro vīraśāyī bhavennaraḥ | nādhikaṁ vidyate yasmād ityāhuḥ paramarṣayaḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「戦場にて『勇士の床』に伏す者—すなわち戦いに倒れる者—は、祖父神ブラフマーに劣らぬ存在となる。彼より高きものはないと、至高の仙人たちは説く。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dying a heroic death in battle (vīraśayyā) is regarded as an exceptionally meritorious fulfillment of kṣatriya-duty, so exalted that it is compared to attaining the status of Brahmā, the highest cosmic progenitor.
Vaiśampāyana reports a traditional valuation voiced by great sages: the warrior who falls on the battlefield is praised as reaching the highest honor, reinforcing the Anuśāsana Parva’s broader instruction on dharma, duties, and the fruits of righteous conduct.