Shloka 5
Vṛtra’s Cosmic Threat, Viṣṇu’s Upāya, and the Conditional Vulnerability
Udyoga-parva 10
शल्य उवाच एवमुक्ते मघवता देवा: सर्षिगणास्तदा । शरण्यं शरण देवं जम्मुर्विष्णुं महाबलम्
śalya uvāca evam ukte maghavatā devāḥ sarṣigaṇās tadā | śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ devaṃ jagmur viṣṇuṃ mahābalam ||
Śalya said: When Maghavat (Indra) had spoken thus, all the gods, together with the companies of ṛṣis, sought refuge in Viṣṇu—the divine protector who is the very refuge of all and possessed of great might.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
True security lies in taking refuge in the rightful protector (śaraṇya). Even powerful beings like the devas acknowledge limits to their own strength and turn to Viṣṇu, modeling humility and dharmic reliance on higher protection rather than pride.
After Indra (Maghavat) speaks, the assembled devas along with the ṛṣis collectively go to Viṣṇu for shelter, indicating a moment of crisis or decision where divine counsel and protection are sought from the supreme refuge.