Shloka 26
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
चतुर्मूर्तिरहं शश्वल्लोकत्राणार्थमुद्यत: । आत्मानं प्रविभज्येह लोकानां हितमादथे,“मैं चार स्वरूप धारण करके सदा सम्पूर्ण लोकोंकी रक्षाके लिये उद्यत रहता हूँ। अपनेको ही यहाँ अनेक रूपोंमें विभक्त करके समस्त संसारका हित-साधन करता हूँ
caturmūrtir ahaṁ śaśval lokatrāṇārtham udyataḥ | ātmānaṁ pravibhajyeha lokānāṁ hitam ādadhe |
Sanjaya said: “Assuming four forms, I remain ever vigilant for the protection of the worlds. Here, by dividing my very self into many manifestations, I bring about the welfare of all beings.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a governance-of-dharma ideal: the highest agency (spoken of as “I”) safeguards the world by manifesting in multiple forms, emphasizing responsibility, protection, and universal welfare (loka-hita) as a central ethical aim.
Within Sanjaya’s report, a declaration is voiced about sustaining and protecting the worlds through a fourfold manifestation and further self-division into many forms—framing the ongoing events of the war within a larger cosmic purpose of preservation and welfare.