Shloka 18
Āṇīmāṇḍavya–Upākhyāna
The Account of Āṇīmāṇḍavya and the Birth of Vidura
असुखानामनाथानां तिर्यग्योनिषु वर्तताम् । स एव राजा सर्वेषां भूतानामभवत् पिता,दुःखी, अनाथ एवं पशु-पक्षीकी योनिमें पड़े हुए जीव--इन सब प्राणियोंका वे राजा शान्तनु ही पिताके समान पालन करते थे
asukhānām anāthānāṁ tiryagyonīṣu vartatām | sa eva rājā sarveṣāṁ bhūtānām abhavat pitā ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Aun para los afligidos y desamparados, que habitaban en nacimientos de animales y aves, aquel rey llegó a ser padre de todos los seres. Es decir, el reinado de Śāntanu se distinguió por una tutela compasiva: protegía a los indefensos en toda forma de vida, como si fueran suyos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rājadhrama: a king should act like a father to all beings, extending protection even to the suffering and helpless, including non-human creatures. Authority is justified by compassionate guardianship, not mere power.
Vaiśampāyana is describing King Śāntanu’s character and rule, emphasizing that his care and protection were so broad that even beings in animal and bird births are portrayed as receiving his paternal guardianship.