Shloka 326
कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
शरणं यामि यान्यस्मिन् दैवतानि वनस्पतौ । इसके बाद उसने उस वृक्षके नीचे ही रातभर रहनेका निश्चय किया। फिर हाथ जोड़ प्रणाम करके उस वनस्पतिसे कहा--“इस वृक्षपर जो-जो देवता हों, उन सबकी मैं शरण लेता हूँ
śaraṇaṃ yāmi yāny asmin daivatāni vanaspatau |
Bhīṣma disse: “Busco refúgio em quaisquer divindades que habitem nesta árvore.” Com as mãos postas, prestou reverência à árvore e resolveu passar toda a noite sob ela, colocando-se sob a proteção das presenças sagradas que se crê nela residirem—um ato que reflete humildade, fé e a ética de honrar a natureza como vaso do divino.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) and respectful devotion: one should approach the sacred with humility, recognizing that divinity may be present even in natural forms like a tree, and act with reverence rather than entitlement.
A person (as framed by Bhīṣma’s narration) decides to stay the night beneath a tree and, before doing so, offers salutations and declares refuge in all deities believed to reside in that tree, seeking protection and blessing.