Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 20
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
सहस्रचित्यो: राजर्षि: प्राणानिष्टान् महायशा: । ब्राह्मणार्थे परित्यज्य गतो लोकाननुच्तमान्
sahasracityo rājārṣiḥ prāṇān iṣṭān mahāyaśāḥ | brāhmaṇārthe parityajya gato lokān anuttamān ||
毗湿摩说道：“声名显赫的王仙萨哈斯拉奇提耶，为了一位婆罗门之事，连自己最珍爱的生命也能舍弃；由此牺牲之功德，他得至最高诸界。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the highest dharmic merit can lie in self-sacrifice for the protection and welfare of a brāhmaṇa and the sacred order; renouncing even one’s life for such a cause is portrayed as leading to unsurpassed spiritual attainment.
Bhīṣma cites the example of the famed royal sage Sahasracitya, who gave up his cherished life for a brāhmaṇa’s sake, and as a result is said to have attained the highest worlds—an illustrative precedent within Bhīṣma’s dharma-instruction.