Shloka 8

Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

भगवानम्बरीष श्च ब्राह्मणायामितौजसे । प्रदाय सकल राष्ट्र सुरलोकमवाप्तवान्‌,ऐश्वर्यशशाली राजा अम्बरीष अमित तेजस्वी ब्राह्मणको अपना सारा राज्य सौंपकर देवलोकको प्राप्त हुए

Transliteration

bhagavān ambarīṣaś ca brāhmaṇāya amitaujase | pradāya sakala-rāṣṭraṃ suralokaṃ avāptavān |

Translation

భీష్ముడు పలికెను—భగవంతుడైన అంబరీషుడు అపార తేజస్సు గల బ్రాహ్మణునికి తన సమస్త రాజ్యాన్ని దానమిచ్చి దేవలోకాన్ని పొందెను.

Word by Word

भगवान्glorious, venerable

अम्बरीषःAmbarisha

चand

ब्राह्मणायto a Brahmin

अमितौजसेto (one) of immeasurable vigor

प्रदायhaving given

सकलम्entire, whole

राष्ट्रम्kingdom, realm

सुरलोकम्world of the gods (heaven)

अवाप्तवान्obtained, attained

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Ambarisha

Brahmin (unnamed recipient)

Suraloka (world of the gods)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that the highest use of royal power is righteous generosity: relinquishing personal claim over wealth and authority through dharmic gifting—especially honoring spiritual excellence—leads to great merit and exalted destiny.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma cites King Ambarisha as an exemplar: Ambarisha gives away his entire kingdom to a Brahmin of immense spiritual power and, through this act of renunciation and charity, attains suraloka (the heavenly realm).