Shloka 24
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
मदिराश्चश्व राजर्षिददत््वा कन्यां सुमध्यमाम् | हिरण्यहस्ताय गतो लोकान् देवैरधिष्ठितान्
madirāś caśva rājarṣir dattvā kanyāṁ sumadhyamām | hiraṇyahastāya gato lokān devair adhiṣṭhitān ||
भीष्म उवाच—राजर्षिर्मदिराश्वा अपि हिरण्यहस्ताय सुमध्यमां कन्यां दत्त्वा देवैरधिष्ठितान् लोकान् जगाम। एतद् धर्म्यदानस्य तथा विवाहसंयोगस्य यथाविधि-आचरणस्य च फलमिति।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic value of proper gifting—especially the socially sanctioned giving of a maiden in marriage (kanyādāna)—and links such righteous conduct with the attainment of exalted, god-governed realms after death.
Bhishma recounts that the royal sage Madirāśvā arranged a maiden’s marriage by giving her to Hiraṇyahasta; after fulfilling this duty, he departed and attained heavenly worlds presided over by the gods.