Shloka 18
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् ब्रह्म स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् यश: । स्वर्गयोनिस्तपो युद्धे मृत्यु: सो5व्यभिचारवान्
svargayonir mahad brahma svargayonir mahad yaśaḥ | svargayonis tapo yuddhe mṛtyuḥ so 'vyabhicāravān ||
クリシュナは言った。「大いなるブラフマン（聖なる知）こそ天界の源であり、利他の行いによって得られる大いなる名声もまた天界の源である。苦行（tapas）もまた天界到達の手段と宣言されている。だがクシャトリヤにとっては、この三つを超えて、戦場における死を選ぶことこそ—己の義務（ダルマ）から一歩も逸れずに受け入れるなら—天界に至る確実無比の道である。」
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Multiple paths are acknowledged as leading to heaven—Vedic learning (brahma), beneficent renown (yaśas), and austerity (tapas)—but for a kṣatriya, steadfastly accepting death in righteous battle is presented as an especially certain means, provided it is aligned with dharma and not motivated by deviation or unrighteousness.
In this passage Kṛṣṇa is speaking in a didactic mode, ranking and comparing recognized dharmic means to attain heavenly merit. The statement frames a value-system where social duty (varṇa-dharma), especially the warrior’s obligation in battle, is treated as a decisive ethical criterion for posthumous reward.