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 ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “O homem que se deita no leito do herói (isto é, cai em batalha) torna-se nada menos que o Avô, Brahmā. Pois nada é tido como mais elevado do que ele—assim declaram os supremos sábios.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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.