Shloka 44
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
हतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वीतहव्य: सुतेष्वथ । प्राद्रवन्नगरं हित्वा भूगोराश्रममप्युत,उन सब पुत्रोंके मारे जानेपर राजा वीतहव्य अपना नगर छोड़कर महर्षि भृगुके आश्रममें भाग गये
hateṣu teṣu sarveṣu vītahavyaḥ suteṣv atha | prādravan nagaraṁ hitvā bhṛgor āśramam apy uta ||
Bhishma said: When all those sons had been slain, King Vītahavya—overwhelmed by the destruction of his lineage—abandoned his city and fled to the hermitage of the sage Bhṛgu. The episode underscores how the collapse of worldly supports drives a ruler to seek refuge in ascetic sanctuaries, turning from royal power toward spiritual protection and counsel.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly power and security—such as kingdom and lineage—are fragile; when they collapse, a person is urged toward humility and the shelter of dharmic, ascetic guidance. The verse highlights the ethical turn from reliance on force and possession to seeking refuge in sages and spiritual discipline.
After all his sons are killed, King Vītahavya abandons his city and flees to the hermitage of the sage Bhṛgu, seeking safety and counsel in an ascetic refuge.