Shloka 4
असुरैर्वध्यमानास्ते क्षीणप्राणा दिवौकस: । अपश्यन्त तपस्यन्तमत्रिं विप्रं तपोधनम्
asurair vadhyamānās te kṣīṇaprāṇā divaukasaḥ | apaśyanta tapasyantam atriṃ vipraṃ tapodhanam ||
Bhishma berkata: Diserang dan dibunuh oleh para Asura, tenaga hayat para dewa pun kian susut. Mereka melihat resi Atri, Brahmana yang kaya dengan kekuatan tapa, sedang tekun bertapa, lalu mendekatinya untuk berlindung.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When overwhelmed by adharma and violence, even the mighty seek protection through dharmic means—approaching a self-controlled ascetic whose tapas represents moral and spiritual authority. The verse highlights tapas as a stabilizing force that can restore order when worldly power falters.
The Devas, battered by the Asuras and weakened, find the sage Atri engaged in austerities. They approach him as a refuge and potential protector, setting up a request for intervention to counter the crisis caused by the Asuras.