Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 2
विश्वामित्रस्य शरणागति-प्रशंसा तथा वासिष्ठपुत्र-शापः
Visvamitra grants refuge; the curse upon Vasishta’s sons
ऐक्ष्वाक स्वागतं वत्स जानामि त्वां सुधार्मिकम् ।शरणं ते भविष्यामि मा भैषीर्नृपपुङ्गव।।1.59.2।।
aikṣvāka svāgataṃ vatsa jānāmi tvāṃ sudhārmikam | śaraṇaṃ te bhaviṣyāmi mā bhaiṣīr nṛpapuṅgava || 1.59.2 ||
Ô descendant d’Ikṣvāku, sois le bienvenu, mon enfant. Je sais que tu es vraiment juste. Ô le meilleur des rois, ne crains point : je serai ton refuge.
O Pre-eminent among ascetics! Here is what the hundred sons of Vasishta spoke in anger.
FAQs
Dharma as protection: a righteous authority reassures and offers shelter to one who is virtuous and fearful, affirming that refuge should be granted to the deserving.
In the tense aftermath of conflict involving sages, a revered figure welcomes the Ikṣvāku prince and promises safety.
Assurance and guardianship—offering refuge (śaraṇa) grounded in recognition of righteousness (sudharma).