Shloka 12
वह लुहारके घर जाकर आग ले आया और सूखे पत्तोंपर रखकर उसने वहाँ अग्नि प्रज्वलित कर दी ।। स संदीप्तं॑ महत् कृत्वा तमाह शरणागतम् | प्रतापय सुविश्रब्ध: स्वगात्राण्यकुतो भय:,इस प्रकार आगको बहुत प्रज्वलित करके कबूतरने शरणागत अतिथिसे कहा--'भाई! अब तुम्हें कोई भय नहीं है। तुम निश्चिन्त होकर अपने सारे अंगोंको आगसे तपाओ'
sa sandīptaṁ mahat kṛtvā tam āha śaraṇāgatam | pratāpaya suviśrabdhaḥ svagātrāṇy akuto-bhayaḥ ||
Having kindled the fire into a great blaze, the pigeon addressed the guest who had sought refuge: “Brother, you have nothing to fear now. Rest assured—warm and heat all your limbs at this fire.” The scene underscores the host’s duty to protect and comfort a śaraṇāgata (one who has come for refuge), even at personal cost.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights śaraṇāgata-rakṣaṇa and atithi-dharma: once someone seeks refuge, the righteous host must remove their fear and provide protection and comfort, treating the guest as inviolable.
After arranging and intensifying the fire, the pigeon reassures the refugee-guest that there is no danger and invites him to warm his limbs—setting the stage for the host’s extraordinary commitment to hospitality and protection.