Shloka 4
असुरैर्वध्यमानास्ते क्षीणप्राणा दिवौकस: । अपश्यन्त तपस्यन्तमत्रिं विप्रं तपोधनम्
asurair vadhyamānās te kṣīṇaprāṇā divaukasaḥ | apaśyanta tapasyantam atriṃ vipraṃ tapodhanam ||
அசுரர்களால் தாக்கப்பட்டு உயிர்வலிமை சோர்ந்த தேவர்கள், தவத்தில் ஆழ்ந்திருந்த தவோநிதியான பிராமணர் அத்ரி முனிவரை கண்டடைந்தனர்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When overwhelmed by adharma and violence, even the mighty seek protection through dharmic means—approaching a self-controlled ascetic whose tapas represents moral and spiritual authority. The verse highlights tapas as a stabilizing force that can restore order when worldly power falters.
The Devas, battered by the Asuras and weakened, find the sage Atri engaged in austerities. They approach him as a refuge and potential protector, setting up a request for intervention to counter the crisis caused by the Asuras.