Shloka 11
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
शल्यने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! नहुषसे ऐसा कहकर उस समय सब देवता ऋषियोंके साथ इन्द्राणीसे यह अशुभ वचन कहनेके लिये बृहस्पतिजीके पास गये ।। जानीम: शरणं प्राप्तामिन्द्राणीं तव वेश्मनि । दत्ताभयां च विप्रेन्द्र त्वया देवर्षिसत्तम,उन्होंने कहा--'देवर्षिप्रवर! विप्रेन्द्र! हमें पता लगा है कि इन्द्राणी आपकी शरणमें आयी हैं और आपके ही भवनमें रह रही हैं। आपने उन्हें अभय-दान दे रखा है
jānīmaḥ śaraṇaṃ prāptām indrāṇīṃ tava veśmani | dattābhayāṃ ca viprendra tvayā devarṣi-sattama ||
They said: “O foremost of divine seers, O best of Brahmins, we have learned that Indrāṇī has come seeking refuge and is staying within your own dwelling. And you, O excellent sage, have granted her fearlessness (protection).”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the dharmic obligation to protect one who has sought refuge (śaraṇaṃ prāptā). Once fearlessness (abhaya) is granted, the protector is morally bound to uphold that assurance, making protection a matter of truthfulness and righteous duty.
The gods and sages approach Bṛhaspati and state that Indrāṇī has taken shelter in his house and that he has already granted her protection. This sets up a situation where divine actors must reckon with the sanctity of asylum and the consequences of violating a pledged safeguard.