Shloka 12
Arjuna’s Account of Tapas and the Kirāta Test; Revelation of Maheśvara and the Grant of the Pāśupata-Astra
मन्नियुक्ता मनुष्येन्द्र सर्वे च गिरिवासिन: । रक्षिष्यन्ति महाबाहो सहित द्विजसत्तमै:,महाबाहु नरश्रेष्ठ! वहाँ अलकानिवासी यक्ष तथा इस पर्वतपर रहनेवाले सभी प्राणी मेरी आज्ञाके अनुसार गन्धर्वों और किन्नरोंके साथ सदा इन श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणोंसहित तुम्हारी रक्षा करेंगे
man-niyuktā manuṣyendra sarve ca girivāsinaḥ | rakṣiṣyanti mahābāho sahitā dvijasattamaiḥ ||
Kubera said: “O lord among men, all those who dwell upon this mountain, acting under my command, will protect you, O mighty-armed one—together with the foremost of the twice-born.” In context, this is a pledge of guardianship: rightful authority is exercised not for domination but for protection, and the presence of eminent brāhmaṇas underscores that power is to be aligned with dharma and restraint.
धनद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate power is validated by its protective function: authority should be exercised in service of safeguarding the righteous, and the association with eminent brāhmaṇas signals that protection must remain aligned with dharma rather than mere force.
Kubera (Dhanada) assures the addressed hero that all beings residing on the mountain, under Kubera’s command, will provide protection, accompanied by foremost brāhmaṇas—an explicit guarantee of safety and support within the forest narrative setting.