कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
अपर बछ। ] अति्ऑकशाड< त्रिचत्वारिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: शरणागतकी रक्षा करनेके विषयमें एक बहेलिये और कपोत-कपोतीका प्रसंग
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: Pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstra-viśārada | śaraṇaṃ pālayānasya yo dharmas taṃ vadasva me ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「大祖父よ、至高の智慧を備え、あらゆるシャーストラに通暁するお方よ。どうかお教えください。庇護を求めて来た者を守る者は、いかなるダルマを得、いかなる功徳を受けるのでしょうか。」
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse frames a central ethical inquiry of Śānti Parva: the duty (dharma) and spiritual merit involved in protecting one who seeks refuge (śaraṇāgata). It treats asylum and protection of the helpless as a high moral obligation worthy of scriptural clarification.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma, acknowledging his vast learning, and asks him to explain what dharma applies to a protector of a refuge-seeker. This question introduces the ensuing instruction and illustrative story about safeguarding the surrendered.