Shloka 13
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये सर्वभूतानि देवराट् । वसिष्ठो जीवयामास येन यातो$क्षयां गतिम्
avarṣati ca parjanye sarvabhūtāni devarāṭ | vasiṣṭho jīvayāmāsa yena yāto 'kṣayāṃ gatim ||
Бхишма сказал: когда дождь не пролился, все живые существа страдали. Тогда великий мудрец Васиштха возвратил им жизнь; этим дарованием жизни он достиг нетленного состояния (мира, не знающего упадка).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustaining and protecting life in times of crisis is a supreme dharmic act; such compassion and beneficence are said to yield enduring, ‘imperishable’ spiritual merit and destiny.
Bhishma recalls a time of drought when rain did not fall and beings were perishing; the sage Vasiṣṭha intervened and revived them, and that act is linked with their attainment of an imperishable state.