Shloka 13
Dāna–Tapaḥ Praśaṃsā and Gṛhastha-Upadeśa
Maitreya
अकरोत् पृथिवीं राजन् यज्ञयूपशताड्किताम् | ततः सालोक्यमगमद् ब्रह्माणो ब्रद्मृवित्तम:
akārot pṛthivīṁ rājan yajñayūpaśatāṅkitām | tataḥ sālokyam agamad brahmaṇo brahmavid-uttamaḥ ||
“ข้าแต่พระราชา เขาได้ทำให้แผ่นดินมีรอยหมายด้วยเสายัญญะนับร้อย; แล้วเป็นผู้เลิศในหมู่นักรู้พรหมัน จึงได้บรรลุสาโลกยะกับพระพรหม”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links disciplined righteous action (many yajñas symbolized by ‘hundreds of yūpas’) with inner spiritual culmination: the highest fruit is not merely ritual merit but becoming a brahmavid—one who knows Brahman—and attaining the divine realm (Brahmaloka/sālokya), pointing toward realization of the eternal Brahman.
Bhīṣma recounts an exemplum: a being from a lowly former state (‘that former creature’) gains rare brahminhood as per Vyāsa’s account, performs extensive sacrifices across the earth, and ultimately—surpassing mere ritual status—becomes foremost among knowers of Brahman and attains Brahmā’s realm (Brahmaloka), culminating in realization of the eternal Brahman.