Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 32
Adhyāya 6: Kaṅka (Yudhiṣṭhira) Seeks Refuge in Virāṭa’s Assembly
अटब्यां दुर्गकान्तारे सागरे गहने गिरौ । ये स्मरिष्यन्ति मां राजन् यथाहं भवता स्मृता
aṭabyāṃ durgakāntāre sāgare gahane girau | ye smariṣyanti māṃ rājan yathāhaṃ bhavatā smṛtā ||
ಓ ರಾಜನೇ, ಅರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ, ದುರ್ಗಮ ಕಾನ್ತಾರದಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಮುದ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ, ಗಹನವಾದ ಅಪ್ರಾಪ್ಯ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅಥವಾ ಪರ್ವತದಲ್ಲಿ—ನೀನು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಿದ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಯಾರು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸುವರೋ, ಅವರಿಗೆ ನಾನು ಸನ್ನಿಧನಾಗುವೆನು.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the power of mindful remembrance of a trusted guide: in any extreme danger—forest, wilderness, sea, deep places, or mountains—calling to mind the helper in the right spirit becomes a means of receiving support and protection.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king and assures him that just as the king has remembered (invoked) him, so too anyone who remembers him in perilous circumstances will be met with his presence/help—an assurance of reliable aid when properly called upon.