Shloka 45
ययौ भृगुं च शरणं वीतहव्यो नराधिप: । अभयं च ददौ तस्मै राजे राजन् भगुस्तदा,राजन! वहाँ नरेश्वर वीतहव्यने महर्षि भूगुकी शरण ली। तब भूगुने राजाको अभयदान दे दिया
yayau bhṛguṃ ca śaraṇaṃ vītahavyo narādhipaḥ | abhayaṃ ca dadau tasmai rājñe rājan bhṛgus tadā ||
Bhīṣma said: King Vītahavya sought refuge with the sage Bhṛgu. Then Bhṛgu granted the king fearlessness (protection), O King—affirming the ethical duty to shelter one who has surrendered, even when he is a ruler in distress.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic obligation of granting protection (abhaya) to one who has sought refuge (śaraṇa), underscoring that moral duty can transcend social status—here, even a king becomes a supplicant and is safeguarded by a sage.
King Vītahavya approaches the sage Bhṛgu for asylum. Bhṛgu responds by granting him abhaya—an explicit assurance of safety—thereby accepting him under his protection.