Shloka 11
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
तदा देवासुरे युद्धे भये जाते दिवौकसाम् | अयाचत महात्मानौ नरनारायणौ वरम्
tadā devāsure yuddhe bhaye jāte divaukasām | ayācata mahātmānau naranārāyaṇau varam |
Вайшампаяна сказал: «Когда разгорелась война богов с асурами и страх охватил обитателей небес, они приблизились к двум великодушным мудрецам — Наре и Нараяне — и стали просить у них дара.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, power alone is insufficient: even the gods turn toward those established in tapas and dharma. The verse highlights the ethical hierarchy where spiritual authority and righteousness become the true refuge amid violence and fear.
A deva–asura battle has broken out, and the gods are frightened. They approach the twin sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa and request a boon—setting up their intervention or assistance in the conflict.