Shloka 12
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
भजस्व मां शाल्वपते भक्तां बालामनागसम् | भक्तानां हि परित्यागो न धर्मेषु प्रशस्यते
bhajasva māṃ śālvapate bhaktāṃ bālāṃ anāgasam | bhaktānāṃ hi parityāgo na dharmeṣu praśasyate ||
“Wahai penguasa Śālva, terimalah aku. Aku seorang perempuan yang tak bersalah, tak berdaya, dan berbakti kepadamu; sebab meninggalkan seorang bhakta yang datang berlindung tidak dipuji dalam dharma mana pun.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts an ethical norm within dharma: rejecting or abandoning a devoted person—especially one who is blameless and vulnerable—is not considered praiseworthy. It frames protection and acceptance of the faithful as a duty aligned with righteous conduct.
A speaker appeals to the king of Śālva, presenting herself as innocent and helpless yet devoted, and urges him to accept her. The appeal is strengthened by invoking dharma: that turning away a devoted dependent is morally censured.