Shloka 25
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
तत्पश्चात् उन सुन्दर एवं महामूल्यवान् रत्नोंद्वारा पूजित हुए वे सभी उज्ज्वल वस्त्रधारी ब्राह्मण बड़े प्रसन्न हुए ।।
tatpaścāt sunda-ratnair mahāmūlyaiḥ pūjitāḥ te sarve śukla-vastra-dharā brāhmaṇāḥ praharṣam agaman | tataḥ tān rākṣasendraḥ dvijān āha punar vacaḥ | nānā-deśa-gatān rājann rākṣasān pratiṣidhya vai | “vipragaṇāḥ, adyaika-divasaṃ yuṣmākaṃ rākṣasebhyo na kvacid bhayaṃ bhaviṣyati; ataḥ pramodadhvaṃ, śīghraṃ ca svābhīṣṭa-sthānaṃ vrajata; mā vilambadhvam” iti |
ततः तान् राक्षसेन्द्रः द्विजान् आह पुनर्वचः। नानादेशगतान् राजन् राक्षसान् प्रतिषिध्य वै— ‘विप्रगणाः! अद्यैकदिवसं युष्माकं राक्षसेभ्यो भयम् नास्ति; अतः प्रमोदध्वं, शीघ्रं च स्वाभीष्टं स्थानं गच्छत; मा विलम्बध्वम्।’
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even those associated with violence are bound by dharma to restrain harm toward the innocent and toward guests; granting fearlessness (abhaya) and honoring Brahmins/guests is presented as an ethical duty of rulership and self-control.
After being honored with costly jewels, the Brahmins are pleased. The Rakshasa-king then orders the Rakshasas—who have gathered from many regions—to refrain from violence, and he assures the Brahmins of safety for the day, urging them to depart quickly to their chosen destination.