Shloka 40
Tapovana-praveśaḥ — The King’s Entry into the Sacred Grove and Vision of the Āśrama
सा संवृतं महाभागैर्देवद्धिजमहर्षिभि: । ददर्श देवं ब्रह्माणं लोककर्तारमव्ययम्,दानवोंने बलपूर्वक जिसपर अधिकार कर लिया था, पर्वतों और वृक्षोंसहित उस पृथ्वीको उस समय कच्छप और दिग्गज आदिकी संगठित शक्तियाँ तथा शेषनाग भी धारण करनेमें समर्थ न हो सके। महीपाल! तब असुरोंके भारसे आतुर तथा भयसे पीड़ित हुई पृथ्वी सम्पूर्ण भूतोंक पितामह भगवान् ब्रह्माजीकी शरणमें उपस्थित हुई। ब्रह्मलोकमें जाकर पृथ्वीने उन लोकस्रष्टा अविनाशी देव भगवान् ब्रह्माजीका दर्शन किया, जिन्हें महाभाग देवता, द्विज और महर्षि घेरे हुए थे
sā saṁvṛtaṁ mahābhāgair devadwijamahārṣibhiḥ | dadarśa devaṁ brahmāṇaṁ lokakartāram avyayam ||
Surrounded by the noble gods, learned Brahmins, and great seers, she (the Earth) beheld the divine Brahmā—imperishable creator and ordainer of the worlds. The scene underscores a moral order: when the burden of adharma becomes unbearable, the afflicted seek refuge in the highest cosmic authority, and the guardians of sacred knowledge stand witness to the restoration of balance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the world is oppressed and moral balance is disturbed, the proper response is to seek refuge in the highest sustaining authority of dharma; the presence of devas, sages, and Brahmins signifies that restoration of order is aligned with sacred law and wise counsel.
The Earth, distressed by an overwhelming burden (implied from the surrounding context), approaches Brahmā. In Brahmā’s realm she beholds him, surrounded by gods, Brahmins, and great seers—an image of a cosmic court where the crisis of the world is to be addressed.