Shloka 18
Draupadī’s Instruction on Marital Conduct and Household Discipline (चित्तग्रहण-उपदेश)
दृष्टवा ऋषिं भयाच्चापि प्रविवेश महार्णवम् | तस्मिन् नष्टे जगद् भीतमथर्वाणमथाश्रितम् | अर्चयामासुरेवैनमथर्वाणं सुरादय:,महर्षि अंगिराको सामने देख वे अग्नि भयके मारे पुनः महासागरके भीतर प्रविष्ट हो गये। इस प्रकार अग्निके अदृश्य हो जानेपर सारा संसार भयभीत हो अथर्वा--अंगिराकी शरणमें आया तथा देवताओंने इन अथर्वाकी पूजा की
dṛṣṭvā ṛṣiṁ bhayāc cāpi praviveśa mahārṇavam | tasmin naṣṭe jagad bhītam atharvāṇam athāśritam | arcayāmāsur evainam atharvāṇaṁ surādayaḥ |
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Having seen the sage, and out of fear as well, he entered again into the great ocean. When he thus disappeared, the whole world became frightened and took refuge in Atharvan; and the gods and the rest worshipped that very Atharvan.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the world is shaken by fear and uncertainty, it turns toward a worthy refuge—here, a venerable seer (Atharvan). The passage underscores the ethical idea that spiritual authority and disciplined wisdom can stabilize society when ordinary supports fail.
A figure, frightened upon seeing a sage, retreats into the great ocean and disappears from view. This disappearance terrifies the world, which then seeks protection in Atharvan; the gods and others respond by honoring and worshipping Atharvan.