Shloka 4
Janamejaya’s Appeal for Pacification and Śaunaka’s Counsel on Humility (जनमेजय-शौनक संवादः)
तद् ब्रवीतु भवान् क्षिप्रं कि करोमि किमिच्छसि । प्रणयेन ब्रवीमि त्वां त्वं हि न: शरणागत:
tad bravītu bhavān kṣipraṁ ki karomi kim icchasi | praṇayena bravīmi tvāṁ tvaṁ hi naḥ śaraṇāgataḥ ||
“ଏହେତୁ ଶୀଘ୍ର କହନ୍ତୁ—ମୁଁ କ’ଣ କରିବି, ଆପଣ କ’ଣ ଇଚ୍ଛା କରୁଛନ୍ତି? ମୁଁ ସ୍ନେହରେ ପଚାରୁଛି; କାରଣ ଆପଣ ଆମ ପାଖକୁ ଶରଣ ନେଇ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical duty of receiving a śaraṇāgata (one seeking refuge) with affection and prompt readiness to help—hospitality and protection are treated as obligations of dharma.
Bhishma addresses a visitor who has come seeking shelter, urging him to speak his request quickly and offering service, emphasizing that the guest is under their protection.