Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 89
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
एकतो भयभीतस्य प्राणिनः प्राणरक्षणम् । संरक्षति महीपाल यो विप्रं भयविह्वलम् ॥ ८९ ॥
ekato bhayabhītasya prāṇinaḥ prāṇarakṣaṇam | saṃrakṣati mahīpāla yo vipraṃ bhayavihvalam || 89 ||
一方では、それは危難に怯える生きものの命を守ることそのものである。同じく、恐怖に打ち震えるブラーフマナを守護する王は、まさにその命を守るのである。
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It equates offering protection to a fear-stricken Brahmin with saving life itself, presenting protection (rakṣā) as a direct act of dharma that preserves prāṇa and earns great merit.
By framing protection of the vulnerable as sacred service, it supports bhakti as lived reverence—honoring dharma and the Lord’s order through compassionate action, especially toward those devoted to Vedic life.
No specific Vedanga is taught here; the practical takeaway is dharmaśāstric—royal responsibility (rājadharma) to grant refuge and protection, especially to vipras who uphold Vedic learning and rites.