Shloka 12
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
भजस्व मां शाल्वपते भक्तां बालामनागसम् | भक्तानां हि परित्यागो न धर्मेषु प्रशस्यते,'शाल्वराज! मैं निरपराध अबला हूँ। तुम्हारे प्रति अनुरक्त हूँ। मुझे स्वीकार करो; क्योंकि भक्तोंका परित्याग किसी भी धर्ममें अच्छा नहीं बताया गया है
bhajasva māṃ śālvapate bhaktāṃ bālāṃ anāgasam | bhaktānāṃ hi parityāgo na dharmeṣu praśasyate ||
“शाल्वपते, मला स्वीकार करा. मी निरपराध, अबला आणि तुमची भक्त आहे; कारण शरण आलेल्या भक्ताचा त्याग कोणत्याही धर्मात प्रशंसनीय मानला जात नाही।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts an ethical norm within dharma: rejecting or abandoning a devoted person—especially one who is blameless and vulnerable—is not considered praiseworthy. It frames protection and acceptance of the faithful as a duty aligned with righteous conduct.
A speaker appeals to the king of Śālva, presenting herself as innocent and helpless yet devoted, and urges him to accept her. The appeal is strengthened by invoking dharma: that turning away a devoted dependent is morally censured.