Shloka 41
Adhyāya 60: Dāna vs. Yajña—Royal Giving, Protection, and Karmic Share
पितामहस्यानवरो वीरशायी भवेन्नर: । नाधथिकं विद्यते यस्मादित्याहु: परमर्षय:
pitāmahasyānavaro vīraśāyī bhavennaraḥ | nādhikaṁ vidyate yasmād ityāhuḥ paramarṣayaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ang taong nahihiga sa ‘higaan ng bayani’—ibig sabihin, nabubuwal sa larangan ng digmaan—ay nagiging hindi mababa kaysa sa Pitāmaha (Brahmā). Sapagkat walang itinuturing na higit pa sa Kanya, ito ang ipinahayag ng mga dakilang rishi.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dying a heroic death in battle (vīraśayyā) is regarded as an exceptionally meritorious fulfillment of kṣatriya-duty, so exalted that it is compared to attaining the status of Brahmā, the highest cosmic progenitor.
Vaiśampāyana reports a traditional valuation voiced by great sages: the warrior who falls on the battlefield is praised as reaching the highest honor, reinforcing the Anuśāsana Parva’s broader instruction on dharma, duties, and the fruits of righteous conduct.