Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
8 % «७-०७ २:४००००हैं:.. >नीी-.+-+- _ .मम++िानननन नमन भयभीत कबूतर महाराज शिबिकी गोदमें काशिराज्यं तदद्यैव त्वदर्थ जीवितं तथा । त्यजेयं भव विश्रब्ध: कपोत न भयं तव
kāśirājyaṃ tad adyaiva tvad-arthaṃ jīvitaṃ tathā | tyajeyaṃ bhava viśrabdhaḥ kapota na bhayaṃ tava ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಓ ಪಾರಿವಾಳವೇ! ನಿನ್ನ ರಕ್ಷಣಾರ್ಥ ಇಂದುಲೇ ಕಾಶಿರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನೂ, ನನ್ನ ಜೀವವನ್ನೂ ಸಹ ತ್ಯಜಿಸುವೆನು. ನಂಬಿ ನಿಶ್ಚಿಂತನಾಗಿರು; ನಿನಗೆ ಇನ್ನು ಭಯವಿಲ್ಲ.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse teaches the dharma of refuge and protection: a righteous ruler (or any moral agent) should remove fear from one who seeks shelter, valuing the duty of protection above possessions, status, and even life.
A pigeon has sought protection. The speaker (in the Shibi-type ethical frame) assures the pigeon that it is safe, declaring readiness to surrender the kingdom of Kāśī and even his own life to secure the bird’s safety.