Shloka 22
Rājā–Rāja-Śabda-Prabhavaḥ — The Origin and Rationale of Kingship and Daṇḍanīti
नष्टे ब्रह्मणि धर्मे च देवांस्त्रास: समाविशत् | ते त्रस्ता नरशार्दूल ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययु:
naṣṭe brahmaṇi dharme ca devāṁs trāsaḥ samāviśat | te trastā naraśārdūla brahmāṇaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ ||
ବ୍ରହ୍ମ ଓ ଧର୍ମ ନଶିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ ଦେବମାନଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଭୟ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲା। ହେ ନରଶାର୍ଦ୍ଦୂଳ, ସେମାନେ ଭୀତ ହୋଇ ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ଶରଣକୁ ଗଲେ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When Vedic wisdom and dharma decline, disorder and fear arise even among the gods; the remedy is to seek the highest principled authority (Brahmā here) for the re-establishment of moral and cosmic order.
Bhīṣma describes a crisis: as brahman (Vedic order/knowledge) and dharma are being destroyed, the devas become frightened and approach Brahmā for protection and guidance, setting up a restoration narrative.