Shloka 12
Paurava-vaṃśa-kathana (Account of the Paurava Lineage) | महाभारत आदि पर्व अध्याय ८९
सन्त: प्रतिष्ठा हि सुखच्युतानां सतां सदैवामरराजकल्प । ते संगता: स्थावरजड्रमेशा: प्रतिष्ठितस्त्वं सदृशेषु सत्सु,देवेश्वर इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी महानुभाव! सुखसे वंचित होनेवाले साधु पुरुषोंके लिये सदा संत ही परम आश्रय हैं। वे स्थावर और जंगम सब प्राणियोंपर शासन करनेवाले सत्पुरुष यहाँ एकत्र हुए हैं। तुम अपने समान पुण्यात्मा संतोंके बीचमें स्थित हो
santaḥ pratiṣṭhā hi sukhacyutānāṃ satāṃ sadaivāmararājakalpa | te saṅgatāḥ sthāvarajaṅgamāś ca pratiṣṭhitas tvaṃ sadṛśeṣu satsu, deveśvara indrake samāna tejasvī mahānubhāva ||
Āṭka said: “For the virtuous who have fallen away from happiness, the saints are indeed the enduring refuge and firm support—ever like the king of the gods. Here those righteous ones, who exercise rightful authority over all beings, both immobile and moving, have assembled. And you, O great-souled one, radiant like Indra, stand established among saints who are your equals in merit.”
अट्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal: when people are deprived of happiness or stability, the truly virtuous (santaḥ) serve as a reliable refuge and moral foundation. Their steadiness and righteousness provide support to others, and their authority is portrayed as legitimate because it is grounded in dharma.
Āṭka addresses a revered, radiant figure with honorific praise, noting that an assembly of righteous persons has gathered. He points out that the addressee stands among saints who are equal in merit, and he compares the addressee’s splendor to Indra’s, emphasizing the dignity and moral stature of the gathering.