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 ||
हे इक्ष्वाकु-वंशज! स्वागत है, वत्स। मैं तुम्हें सच्चा धर्मात्मा जानता हूँ। हे नृपश्रेष्ठ! भय मत करो—मैं तुम्हारा शरण बनूँगा।
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).