Shloka 12
Paurava-vaṃśa-kathana (Account of the Paurava Lineage) | महाभारत आदि पर्व अध्याय ८९
सन्त: प्रतिष्ठा हि सुखच्युतानां सतां सदैवामरराजकल्प । ते संगता: स्थावरजड्रमेशा: प्रतिष्ठितस्त्वं सदृशेषु सत्सु
santaḥ pratiṣṭhā hi sukhacyutānāṃ satāṃ sadaivāmararājakalpa | te saṅgatāḥ sthāvarajaṅgamāś ca pratiṣṭhitas tvaṃ sadṛśeṣu satsu, deveśvara indrake samāna tejasvī mahānubhāva ||
Атка сказал: «Для добродетельных, отпавших от счастья, святые — поистине вечное прибежище и твёрдая опора, всегда подобная царю богов. Здесь собрались праведники, обладающие законной властью над всеми существами — неподвижными и движущимися. И ты, о великая душа, сияющий как Индра, утверждён среди святых, равных тебе по заслугам».
अट्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal: when people are deprived of happiness or stability, the truly virtuous (santaḥ) serve as a reliable refuge and moral foundation. Their steadiness and righteousness provide support to others, and their authority is portrayed as legitimate because it is grounded in dharma.
Āṭka addresses a revered, radiant figure with honorific praise, noting that an assembly of righteous persons has gathered. He points out that the addressee stands among saints who are equal in merit, and he compares the addressee’s splendor to Indra’s, emphasizing the dignity and moral stature of the gathering.