Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 92
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
एकशड्गः पुरा भूत्वा वराहो नन्दिवर्धन: । इमां चोद्धृतवान् भूमिमेकशूड्रस्ततो हाहम्
ekaśṛṅgaḥ purā bhūtvā varāho nandivardhanaḥ | imāṁ coddhṛtavān bhūmim ekaśūḍras tato hāham ||
ਪੁਰਾਤਨ ਸਮੇਂ ਮੈਂ ਇਕ-ਸਿੰਗ (ਇਕ-ਦੰਤ) ਵਰਾਹ ਦਾ ਰੂਪ ਧਾਰ ਕੇ ਇਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਜਲਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਉੱਪਰ ਚੁੱਕਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਆਨੰਦ ਵਧਾਇਆ; ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂ ‘ਏਕਸ਼੍ਰਿੰਗ’ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ।
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
Educational Q&A
The verse frames legitimate greatness as protective responsibility: true eminence is shown by upholding the world’s stability and welfare—symbolized by rescuing the Earth from chaos (the waters).
A speaker recalls an ancient deed—taking the form of a one-tusked boar and raising the Earth from the waters—explaining an epithet (Ekaśṛṅga/Ekaśūḍra) and asserting authority through a cosmically beneficial act.