Shloka 27
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
शिशुर्यथा पितुरड्के सुसुखं वर्तते नग
śiśur yathā pitur aṅke susukhaṃ vartate nṛpa
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O king, just as a little child rests in complete ease upon his father’s lap, so too does one abide in safety and contentment when sheltered by rightful protection—an image that underscores the ethical duty of guardianship and the trust it should inspire.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the metaphor of a child resting on a father’s lap to highlight dharma: true authority and guardianship should create security and ease for those under protection, and the protected should be able to trust that shelter.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses the king and illustrates a point through a homely comparison—describing the natural comfort of a child with its father—to convey the idea of safe refuge under proper care or rule.