Shloka 11
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
शल्यने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! नहुषसे ऐसा कहकर उस समय सब देवता ऋषियोंके साथ इन्द्राणीसे यह अशुभ वचन कहनेके लिये बृहस्पतिजीके पास गये ।।
jānīmaḥ śaraṇaṃ prāptām indrāṇīṃ tava veśmani | dattābhayāṃ ca viprendra tvayā devarṣi-sattama ||
彼らは言った。「神仙のうち最勝なる御方、婆羅門の中の第一なる御方よ。インドラーニーがあなたのもとへ帰依して避難し、あなたの御殿に住していると我らは聞き及んだ。しかも、最上の聖者よ、あなたは彼女に“アバヤ（abhaya）”――恐れなき護り、すなわち安全の保証を授けられた。」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the dharmic obligation to protect one who has sought refuge (śaraṇaṃ prāptā). Once fearlessness (abhaya) is granted, the protector is morally bound to uphold that assurance, making protection a matter of truthfulness and righteous duty.
The gods and sages approach Bṛhaspati and state that Indrāṇī has taken shelter in his house and that he has already granted her protection. This sets up a situation where divine actors must reckon with the sanctity of asylum and the consequences of violating a pledged safeguard.