Shloka 25
तत्पश्चात् उन सुन्दर एवं महामूल्यवान् रत्नोंद्वारा पूजित हुए वे सभी उज्ज्वल वस्त्रधारी ब्राह्मण बड़े प्रसन्न हुए ।। ततस्तान् राक्षसेन्द्रश्न द्विजानाह पुनर्वच: । नानादेशगतान् राजन् राक्षसान् प्रतिषिध्य वै,राजन! इसके बाद राक्षसराज विख्ूपाक्षने नाना देशोंसे आये हुए राक्षसोंको हिंसा करनेसे रोककर उन ब्राह्मणोंसे कहा--“'विप्रगण! आज एक दिनके लिये आपलोगोंको राक्षमोंकी ओरसे कहीं कोई भय नहीं है; अतः: आनन्द कीजिये और शीघ्र ही अपने अभीष्ट स्थानको चले जाइये। विलम्ब न कीजिये”
tatpaścāt sunda-ratnair mahāmūlyaiḥ pūjitāḥ te sarve śukla-vastra-dharā brāhmaṇāḥ praharṣam agaman | tataḥ tān rākṣasendraḥ dvijān āha punar vacaḥ | nānā-deśa-gatān rājann rākṣasān pratiṣidhya vai | “vipragaṇāḥ, adyaika-divasaṃ yuṣmākaṃ rākṣasebhyo na kvacid bhayaṃ bhaviṣyati; ataḥ pramodadhvaṃ, śīghraṃ ca svābhīṣṭa-sthānaṃ vrajata; mā vilambadhvam” iti |
Bhishma said: Thereafter, those Brahmins—clad in bright garments—having been honored with beautiful and exceedingly precious jewels, became greatly delighted. Then the lord of the Rakshasas, having restrained the Rakshasas who had come from many lands, addressed the Brahmins again: “O venerable Brahmins, for this one day you shall have no fear anywhere from the Rakshasas. Therefore rejoice, and quickly go to the place you desire. Do not delay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even those associated with violence are bound by dharma to restrain harm toward the innocent and toward guests; granting fearlessness (abhaya) and honoring Brahmins/guests is presented as an ethical duty of rulership and self-control.
After being honored with costly jewels, the Brahmins are pleased. The Rakshasa-king then orders the Rakshasas—who have gathered from many regions—to refrain from violence, and he assures the Brahmins of safety for the day, urging them to depart quickly to their chosen destination.