Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 19
भीष्मस्योत्तरायणप्रतीक्षा तथा युधिष्ठिरागमनम् | Bhīṣma’s uttarāyaṇa moment and Yudhiṣṭhira’s arrival
क्षमावांश्वानहंवादी ब्रह्मण्यो ब्रह्मनायक: । भयहर्ता भयारतनां मित्राणां नन्दिवर्धन:
kṣamāvāñ śvān ahaṃvādī brahmaṇyo brahmanāyakaḥ | bhayahartā bhayārtānāṃ mitrāṇāṃ nandivardhanaḥ ||
The Lord said: “He is patient and forbearing, free from pride and self-assertion, devoted to Brahmins and a leader among the knowers of Brahman. He removes the fear of those who are distressed by fear, and he increases the joy and confidence of his friends.”
ईश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises an ideal protector-leader defined by inner virtues: forgiveness, humility (absence of ego), reverence for sacred learning and Brahmins, and the ethical duty to remove fear from the distressed while nurturing the happiness of allies and friends.
Īśvara is describing the qualities of an exemplary figure (a dharmic protector), listing moral and social virtues that mark one worthy of trust—especially the capacity to dispel fear in the fearful and to strengthen the morale and joy of companions.