Shloka 24
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
असितो देवलश्वचैव देवयज्ञमुपागमन् । ततो देवा महात्मान ईजिरे यज्ञमच्युतम्
asito devalaś caiva devayajñam upāgaman | tato devā mahātmāna ījire yajñam acyutam ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Asita và Devala tiến đến lễ tế thiêng liêng. Bấy giờ các thần linh, bậc đại tâm, đã cử hành lễ tế ấy—lễ tế không sai lạc, không hư hoại (Acyuta).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic ideal that properly conducted yajña (sacrificial duty) sustains divine order: sages approach sacred rites, and even the gods uphold ritual responsibility, highlighting reverence, discipline, and continuity of sacred practice.
Bhishma narrates that the sages Asita and Devala came to a divine sacrificial occasion; following this, the gods themselves carried out the sacrifice, described as ‘acyuta’—unfailing or perfectly accomplished.