Shloka 12
अर्जुनस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति क्षात्रधर्मोपदेशः | Arjuna’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira on Kṣatra-Dharma
तच्चास्य कर्म पूज्यं च प्रशस्यं च विशाम्पते । तेनेन्द्रत्वं समापेदे देवानामिति नः श्रुतम्,'प्रजानाथ! उनका वह कर्म पूजनीय एवं प्रशंसाके योग्य माना गया। उन्होंने उसी कर्मसे देवेन्द्रपद प्राप्त कर लिया, ऐसा हमने सुना है
taccāsya karma pūjyaṃ ca praśasyaṃ ca viśāmpate | tenendratvaṃ samāpede devānām iti naḥ śrutam ||
तच्चास्य कर्म पूज्यं च प्रशस्यं च विशाम्पते । तेनेन्द्रत्वं समापेदे देवानामिति नः श्रुतम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms a moral principle central to the Mahābhārata: truly commendable action (karma) is not merely socially approved but spiritually efficacious—merit gained through such a deed can elevate one to the highest rank, symbolized here by attaining Indra’s status among the gods.
Vaiśampāyana, continuing his account, addresses a ruler (“viśāmpati”) and reports a traditional conclusion: a certain person’s deed was judged worthy of honor and praise, and by that very deed he is said to have attained Indra’s position among the gods.