Shloka 19
Adhyāya 39 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on attachment (saṅga) and relational restraint
भीष्म उवाच श्रुत्वैतद् वचन शक्रो दानवेन्द्रमुखाच्च्युतम् । द्विजान् सम्पूजयामास महेन्द्रत्वमवाप च,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--भारत! दानवराज शम्बरके मुखसे यह वचन सुनकर इन्द्रने ब्राह्मणोंका पूजन किया, इससे उन्हें महेन्द्रपदकी प्राप्ति हुई
bhīṣma uvāca śrutvaitad vacanaṃ śakro dānavendramukhāccyutam | dvijān sampūjayāmāsa mahendratvam avāpa ca ||
Bhishma disse: Ó Bharata, tendo ouvido estas palavras que saíram da boca do senhor dos Dānavas (Śambara), Śakra (Indra) honrou os brâmanes; e por esse ato alcançou a condição de Mahendra. A passagem ressalta que a reverência aos sábios e justos é causa direta de soberania exaltada e de prosperidade de ordem divina.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Honoring the dvijas (Brahmins/the Vedic learned) is presented as a powerful dharmic act that yields sovereignty and exalted status; Indra’s attainment of Mahendra-hood is linked causally to his respectful worship of Brahmins.
Bhishma narrates that Indra (Śakra), after hearing counsel spoken by the Danava-king Śambara, proceeded to honor the Brahmins; as a result of this dharmic conduct, he attained the rank and glory of Mahendra.