Shloka 25
Saṃsāra-mārga-vistaraḥ
Vidura’s Expanded Account of the Path
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो यो ददाति महीपते । स गच्छति परं स्थानं विष्णो: पदमनामयम्,भूपाल! जो सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंको अभयदान देता है, वह भगवान् विष्णुके अविनाशी परमधाममें चला जाता है
abhayaṃ sarvabhūtebhyo yo dadāti mahīpate | sa gacchati paraṃ sthānaṃ viṣṇoḥ padam anāmayam ||
Vidura says: O king, whoever grants fearlessness to all living beings attains the highest state—the stainless, imperishable abode of Viṣṇu. The ethical force of the verse is that protecting others from fear and harm is itself a supreme dharmic act that leads to the loftiest spiritual goal.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bestowing fearlessness—ensuring the safety and non-harm of all beings—is presented as a pinnacle of dharma, leading to the highest spiritual attainment, described as Viṣṇu’s unblemished abode.
In the Stree Parva’s post-war setting, Vidura addresses the king with moral counsel, emphasizing that true royal and human excellence lies in protecting beings from fear, not merely in power or victory.