Shloka 1
अपर बछ। ] अति्ऑकशाड< त्रिचत्वारिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: शरणागतकी रक्षा करनेके विषयमें एक बहेलिये और कपोत-कपोतीका प्रसंग, सर्दीसे पीड़ित हुए बहेलियेका एक वृक्षके नीचे जाकर सोना युधिछिर उवाच पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । शरणं पालयानस्य यो धर्मस्तं वदस्व मे,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--परमबुद्धिमान् पितामह! आप सम्पूर्ण शास्त्रोंके विशेषज्ञ हैं; अतः मुझे यह बताइये कि शरणागतकी रक्षा करनेवाले प्राणीको किस धर्मकी प्राप्ति होती है?
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: Pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstra-viśārada | śaraṇaṃ pālayānasya yo dharmas taṃ vadasva me ||
Yudhishthira said: “O grandsire, supremely wise and well-versed in all the śāstras, tell me: what is the dharma—and what merit accrues—to one who protects a being that has come seeking refuge?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central ethical inquiry of Śānti Parva: the duty (dharma) and spiritual merit involved in protecting one who seeks refuge (śaraṇāgata). It treats asylum and protection of the helpless as a high moral obligation worthy of scriptural clarification.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma, acknowledging his vast learning, and asks him to explain what dharma applies to a protector of a refuge-seeker. This question introduces the ensuing instruction and illustrative story about safeguarding the surrendered.