Shloka 5
अथैनमन्रुवन् देवा: शान्तक्रोधं जितेन्द्रियम् । असुरैरिषुभिर्विद्धौ चन्द्रादित्याविमावुभौ
atha enam anruvan devāḥ śāntakrodhaṁ jitendriyam | asurair iṣubhir viddhau candrādityāv imāv ubhau ||
Bhishma said: Then the gods addressed Atri, whose anger was stilled and whose senses were mastered, saying, “The Asuras have struck both the Moon and the Sun with their arrows. As dreadful darkness spreads, we too are being slain by our enemies. We find no peace. Protect us, O lord, out of compassion.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of self-mastery: the gods approach a sage described as śāntakrodha (free from anger) and jitendriya (sense-conquered), implying that inner discipline and tapas are sources of protection and restoration of cosmic order when force alone fails.
The gods, distressed by Asuras who have wounded the Sun and Moon—causing darkness and making the gods vulnerable—go to the ascetic Atri and petition him for refuge and protection.