Shloka 26
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
अद्यैक॑ दिवसं विप्रा न वो5स्तीह भयं क्वचित् | राक्षसे भ्य: प्रमोदध्वमिष्टतो यात माचिरम्
adyaikaṁ divasaṁ viprā na vo ’stīha bhayaṁ kvacit | rākṣasebhyaḥ pramodadhvam iṣṭato yāta mā ciram, rājan |
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô brahmanes, pour aujourd’hui—pour ce seul jour—il n’y a pour vous ici, en aucun lieu, aucune crainte à avoir des rākṣasas. Réjouissez-vous donc, et partez vite vers le lieu que vous désirez. Ne tardez pas, ô roi.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Granting fearlessness (abhaya) and safe passage is a practical expression of dharma: even a powerful group must restrain harm and protect the vulnerable, at least by ensuring security and freedom to depart.
A proclamation is made to the brahmins that for one day they will be free from danger from the rākṣasas; they are urged to rejoice and promptly leave for their desired destination without delay.