Shloka 3
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
परासु: स यतस्तेन वसिष्ठ: स्थापितो मुनि: । गर्भस्थेन ततो लोके पराशर इति स्मृतः,उस बालकने गर्भमें आकर परासु (मरनेकी इच्छावाले) वसिष्ठ मुनिको पुनः जीवित रहनेके लिये उत्साहित किया था; इसलिये वह लोकमें “पराशर” के नामसे विख्यात हुआ
parāsuḥ sa yatastena vasiṣṭhaḥ sthāpito muniḥ | garbhasthena tato loke parāśara iti smṛtaḥ ||
The sage Vasiṣṭha, who had become intent on death, was restrained and made to remain (in life) by that child while still in the womb. Therefore, in the world he came to be remembered by the name “Parāśara,” for he turned (Vasiṣṭha) away from the resolve to die—an act that upholds the sanctity of life and the duty to preserve a righteous sage for the good of all.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic value of preserving life—especially the life of a righteous sage whose presence benefits the world—and portrays turning someone away from self-destruction as a meritorious act.
A Gandharva explains the origin of the name “Parāśara”: while still in the womb, the child influenced Vasiṣṭha—who had become resolved to die—to remain alive; hence the child became known as Parāśara in the world.