Shloka 119
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
उद्विग्ना: सहसा कृत्स्ना: सर्वे लोकास्तदा भवन् । नागृह्नात् पावक: शुभ्र॑ मखेषु सुहुतं हवि:
udvignāḥ sahasā kṛtsnāḥ sarve lokās tadā bhavan | nāgṛhṇāt pāvakaḥ śubhraṃ makheṣu suhutaṃ haviḥ ||
Arjuna said: “At that time, when Rudra and Nārāyaṇa had become engaged in combat with one another, all the worlds were suddenly thrown into agitation. Even the Fire-god could not accept the pure oblation that had been duly offered in sacrifices.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that when supreme divine powers clash, cosmic stability is shaken: fear spreads across all realms and even sacrificial processes falter. Ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata theme that harmony among protectors of dharma sustains the world, while conflict at the highest level disrupts both society and sacred order.
Arjuna describes the moment Rudra and Nārāyaṇa enter mutual combat. The immediate consequence is universal alarm—‘all the worlds’ become distressed—and Agni, who normally receives offerings in yajñas, is unable to accept even properly offered, pure oblations, signaling a breakdown of normal cosmic and ritual functioning.