Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 3
शान्तिकं पौष्टिक॑ रक्षा शत्रुघ्न भयनाशनम् | जप्यं यद् ब्रह्म॒समितं तद् भवान् वक्तुमहति
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śāntikaṁ pauṣṭikaṁ rakṣā śatrughnaṁ bhayanāśanam | japyaṁ yad brahmasammitaṁ tad bhavān vaktum arhati ||
युधिष्ठिर ने कहा—शान्ति, पुष्टि, रक्षा, शत्रुनाश और भय-निवारण करने वाला, वेद के समान मान्य ऐसा कौन-सा जपनीय मन्त्र है? आप कृपा करके उसे बताइए।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames mantra-recitation (japa) as a dharmic means to cultivate peace, welfare, protection, and fearlessness, and it emphasizes that such a practice should be grounded in Vedic authority (brahmasammita), not merely personal preference.
Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions an elder/teacher, requesting instruction about a revered, Veda-sanctioned mantra whose recitation is said to confer peace, prosperity, protection, victory over enemies, and the removal of fear.