Shloka 17
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
ब्रह्मदत्तश्न पाज्चाल्यो राजा धर्मभृतां वर: । निर्धि शड्खमनुज्ञाप्प जगाम परमां गतिम्,पाञ्चालदेशके राजा धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ ब्रह्मदत्तने ब्राह्यणको शंखनामक निधि प्रदान करके परम गति प्राप्त कर ली थी
bhīṣma uvāca | brahmadattaś ca pāñcālyo rājā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | nidhim śaṅkham anupradāya jagāma paramāṃ gatim ||
ഭീഷ്മൻ പറഞ്ഞു— പാഞ്ചാലദേശത്തിലെ രാജാവും ധർമ്മധാരികളിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനുമായ ബ്രഹ്മദത്തൻ ‘ശംഖ’ എന്ന നിധി ഒരു ബ്രാഹ്മണനു ദാനം ചെയ്ത് പരമഗതി പ്രാപിച്ചു.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s greatness is measured by dharma expressed through generosity: relinquishing wealth for a worthy recipient (here, a Brahmin) becomes a direct cause of spiritual elevation and the attainment of the highest destiny.
Bhishma cites an exemplum: King Brahmadatta of Panchala gives a treasure named Shankha to a Brahmin, and as a result of this righteous gift he attains the supreme state—presented as evidence for the power of dāna aligned with dharma.