Shloka 12
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 53: Arjuna’s Jayadratha-vadha Pratijñā and Droṇa’s Protective Vyūha (शकटा-पद्म व्यूहः)
तत् पश्य देव सुभृशं प्रजानां हितकाम्यया । यथेमे प्राणिन: सर्वे निवर्तेरंस्तथा कुरु,प्रभो! आप प्रजावर्गके अत्यन्त हितकी इच्छासे इनकी ओर कृपापूर्ण दृष्टिसे देखिये, जिससे ये समस्त प्राणी नष्ट होनेसे बच जाये, वैसा कीजिये
tat paśya deva subhṛśaṁ prajānāṁ hitakāmyayā | yatheme prāṇinaḥ sarve nivarteraṁs tathā kuru prabho ||
Nārada said: “O Lord, look upon these creatures with deep compassion, desiring the welfare of all beings. Act in such a way, Master, that all these living beings may turn back from destruction and be saved.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or powerful agent must act from hitakāmyā—genuine concern for the welfare of all beings—using compassion to prevent needless destruction and to turn people away from ruin.
Nārada addresses a ‘Lord/Master’ (deva, prabho), urging him to look mercifully upon the beings involved and to take effective action so that all creatures may withdraw from the path leading to annihilation.