Shloka 5
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
सतं दृष्टवा विशुद्धात्मा त्रासादडुकमुपागतम् । आश्रचास्याश्रवसिह्ीीत्याह न ते5स्ति भयमण्डज
śaraṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā viśuddhātmā trāsād aṇḍakam upāgatam | āśvāsayām āsa taṃ rājā uśīnaraḥ—na te 'sti bhayam aṇḍaja ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಭಯದಿಂದ ಶರಣಾಗಿ ಬಂದ ಆ ಪಾರಿವಾಳವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಶುದ್ಧಹೃದಯನಾದ ಉಶೀನರ ರಾಜನು ಅದನ್ನು ಸಮಾಧಾನಪಡಿಸಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು—“ಅಂಡಜ, ಶಾಂತವಾಗಿರು; ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಿನಗೆ ಭಯವಿಲ್ಲ.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The core teaching is śaraṇāgata-rakṣaṇa: one who seeks refuge must be protected. A righteous ruler’s dharma includes giving fearlessness (abhaya) to the vulnerable and ensuring safety within his protection.
A frightened bird (traditionally a dove) comes to King Uśīnara seeking shelter. The king, described as pure-hearted, reassures it with words of protection: “Do not fear; you are safe here.”