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 ||
ते म्हणाले—हे देवर्षिप्रवर, हे विप्रेंद्र! आम्हाला कळले आहे की इंद्राणी तुमच्या शरणी येऊन तुमच्या घरातच राहात आहे; आणि हे श्रेष्ठ ऋषी, तुम्ही तिला अभयदान (संरक्षण) दिले आहे.
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.