Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
शकाश्च यवनाश्चैव तथा चान्ये महीभृतः । सत्वरं शरणं जग्मुर्वशिष्ठं प्राणलोलुपाः ॥ ३६ ॥
śakāśca yavanāścaiva tathā cānye mahībhṛtaḥ | satvaraṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmurvaśiṣṭhaṃ prāṇalolupāḥ || 36 ||
The Śakas and the Yavanas, and other rulers of the earth as well, eager to preserve their very lives, swiftly went to Vasiṣṭha for refuge.
Suta (narrating the Purana’s account)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati—seeking refuge in a realized ṛṣi—showing that in times of danger, even powerful rulers turn to dharma-anchored spiritual authority for protection and right counsel.
Though the verse directly depicts refuge in Vasiṣṭha, it mirrors the bhakti principle that true safety lies in surrender to a higher, dharmic refuge—ultimately culminating in taking shelter of the Lord through the guidance of saints.
It underscores the practical dharma-function of Vedic tradition: rulers approach a brahmarṣi for counsel grounded in śāstra—often involving ritual propriety (Kalpa) and correct conduct guided by scriptural reasoning.