Shloka 18
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् ब्रह्म स्वर्गयोनिर्महद् यश: । स्वर्गयोनिस्तपो युद्धे मृत्यु: सो5व्यभिचारवान्
svargayonir mahad brahma svargayonir mahad yaśaḥ | svargayonis tapo yuddhe mṛtyuḥ so 'vyabhicāravān ||
عظیم برہمن (ویدوں کا اَدھیَن) سَورگ کا سرچشمہ ہے؛ بھلائی کے کاموں سے حاصل ہونے والی بڑی شہرت بھی سَورگ کا سبب ہے؛ تپسیا کو بھی سَورگ لوک تک پہنچنے کا وسیلہ کہا گیا ہے۔ مگر کشتریہ کے لیے—ان تینوں سے بڑھ کر—دھرم سے بےانحراف رہتے ہوئے میدانِ جنگ میں موت کو اختیار کرنا سَورگ-پراپتی کا بےخطا ذریعہ ہے۔
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Multiple paths are acknowledged as leading to heaven—Vedic learning (brahma), beneficent renown (yaśas), and austerity (tapas)—but for a kṣatriya, steadfastly accepting death in righteous battle is presented as an especially certain means, provided it is aligned with dharma and not motivated by deviation or unrighteousness.
In this passage Kṛṣṇa is speaking in a didactic mode, ranking and comparing recognized dharmic means to attain heavenly merit. The statement frames a value-system where social duty (varṇa-dharma), especially the warrior’s obligation in battle, is treated as a decisive ethical criterion for posthumous reward.