Shloka 60
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 96: Sātyaki’s Line-Penetration, Encirclement, and Advance toward Arjuna
तेजो हूतं नो वृत्रेण गतिर्भव दिवौकसाम् | मूर्तीरी क्षस्व नो देव प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृता: । शरणं त्वां प्रपन्ना: सम गतिर्भव महेश्वर,उनके ऐसा कहनेपर सम्पूर्ण देवता इस प्रकार बोले--'देव! वृत्रासुरने हमारा तेज हर लिया है। आप देवताओंके आश्रयदाता हों। महेश्वर! आप हमारे शरीरोंकी दशा देखिये। हम वृत्रासुरके प्रहारोंसे जर्जर हो गये हैं, इसलिये आपकी शरणमें आये हैं। आप हमें आश्रय दीजिये"
sañjaya uvāca |
tejo hūtaṃ no vṛtreṇa gatir bhava divaukasām |
mūrtīr īkṣasva no deva prahārair jarjarīkṛtāḥ |
śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ prapannāḥ sma gatir bhava maheśvara ||
Sañjaya said: “O God, Vṛtra has seized our radiance; become the refuge and sure course for us, the dwellers of heaven. Look upon our bodies, O Deva—shattered and worn down by his blows. We have surrendered to you for protection; O Maheśvara, be our shelter and our way to safety.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When strength and confidence (tejas) are lost under adversity, the ethical response is humility and surrender to a higher refuge rather than pride; protection is sought through acknowledging one’s wounded condition and turning to the rightful guardian (Maheśvara) for guidance and safety.
The gods, battered by Vṛtrāsura’s attacks and deprived of their radiance, appeal to Maheśvara (Śiva) for help. They ask him to look upon their damaged bodies and to become their refuge and means of deliverance.