Shloka 26
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
अद्यैक॑ दिवसं विप्रा न वो5स्तीह भयं क्वचित् | राक्षसे भ्य: प्रमोदध्वमिष्टतो यात माचिरम्
adyaikaṁ divasaṁ viprā na vo ’stīha bhayaṁ kvacit | rākṣasebhyaḥ pramodadhvam iṣṭato yāta mā ciram, rājan |
भीष्म उवाच— “अद्यैकं दिवसं विप्राः, न वः कुतश्चिदिह भयं राक्षसेभ्यः। अतः प्रमोदध्वं, शीघ्रं च यथेष्टं स्थानं यात; मा चिरं कुरुत, राजन्।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Granting fearlessness (abhaya) and safe passage is a practical expression of dharma: even a powerful group must restrain harm and protect the vulnerable, at least by ensuring security and freedom to depart.
A proclamation is made to the brahmins that for one day they will be free from danger from the rākṣasas; they are urged to rejoice and promptly leave for their desired destination without delay.