Shloka 4
असुरैर्वध्यमानास्ते क्षीणप्राणा दिवौकस: । अपश्यन्त तपस्यन्तमत्रिं विप्रं तपोधनम्
asurair vadhyamānās te kṣīṇaprāṇā divaukasaḥ | apaśyanta tapasyantam atriṃ vipraṃ tapodhanam ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: Hostigados por los asuras, los dioses, con la fuerza vital ya menguada, vieron al sabio Atri, brahmán rico en poder ascético, absorto en austeridades, y se acercaron a él en busca de amparo.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When overwhelmed by adharma and violence, even the mighty seek protection through dharmic means—approaching a self-controlled ascetic whose tapas represents moral and spiritual authority. The verse highlights tapas as a stabilizing force that can restore order when worldly power falters.
The Devas, battered by the Asuras and weakened, find the sage Atri engaged in austerities. They approach him as a refuge and potential protector, setting up a request for intervention to counter the crisis caused by the Asuras.