Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
शकाश्च यवनाश्चैव तथा चान्ये महीभृतः । सत्वरं शरणं जग्मुर्वशिष्ठं प्राणलोलुपाः ॥ ३६ ॥
śakāśca yavanāścaiva tathā cānye mahībhṛtaḥ | satvaraṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmurvaśiṣṭhaṃ prāṇalolupāḥ || 36 ||
Kaum Śaka, Yavana, dan para penguasa bumi lainnya pun, demi menyelamatkan nyawa, segera pergi berlindung kepada Vasiṣṭha.
Suta (narrating the Purana’s account)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati—seeking refuge in a realized ṛṣi—showing that in times of danger, even powerful rulers turn to dharma-anchored spiritual authority for protection and right counsel.
Though the verse directly depicts refuge in Vasiṣṭha, it mirrors the bhakti principle that true safety lies in surrender to a higher, dharmic refuge—ultimately culminating in taking shelter of the Lord through the guidance of saints.
It underscores the practical dharma-function of Vedic tradition: rulers approach a brahmarṣi for counsel grounded in śāstra—often involving ritual propriety (Kalpa) and correct conduct guided by scriptural reasoning.