Shloka 11
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
शल्यने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! नहुषसे ऐसा कहकर उस समय सब देवता ऋषियोंके साथ इन्द्राणीसे यह अशुभ वचन कहनेके लिये बृहस्पतिजीके पास गये ।।
jānīmaḥ śaraṇaṃ prāptām indrāṇīṃ tava veśmani | dattābhayāṃ ca viprendra tvayā devarṣi-sattama ||
Mereka berkata: “Wahai yang terunggul di antara para dewa-resi, wahai brahmana terbaik, kami telah mengetahui bahwa Indrāṇī datang memohon perlindungan dan tinggal di kediamanmu sendiri. Dan engkau, wahai resi utama, telah menganugerahinya abhaya—jaminan tanpa takut (perlindungan).”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the dharmic obligation to protect one who has sought refuge (śaraṇaṃ prāptā). Once fearlessness (abhaya) is granted, the protector is morally bound to uphold that assurance, making protection a matter of truthfulness and righteous duty.
The gods and sages approach Bṛhaspati and state that Indrāṇī has taken shelter in his house and that he has already granted her protection. This sets up a situation where divine actors must reckon with the sanctity of asylum and the consequences of violating a pledged safeguard.