Shloka 4
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
प्रपात्यमान: श्येनेन कपोत: प्रियदर्शन: । वृषदर्भ महाभागं नरेन्द्र शरणं गत:,एक समयकी बात है, एक बाज किसी सुन्दर कबूतरको मार रहा था। वह कबूतर बाजके डरसे भागकर महाभाग राजा वृषदर्भ (उशीनर)-की शरणमें गया
prapātyamānaḥ śyenena kapotaḥ priyadarśanaḥ | vṛṣadarbha mahābhāgaṃ narendra śaraṇaṃ gataḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Noong unang panahon, isang magandang kalapati ang sinasalakay ng isang lawin na sumisid mula sa itaas. Sa matinding takot, tumakas ito at humingi ng kanlungan sa marangal na haring Vṛṣadarbha (Uśīnara). Itinatakda ng pangyayaring ito ang diwa ng dharma: kapag ang isang walang kalaban-laban ay lumapit upang magpasaklolo, tungkulin ng pinuno na magbigay ng silungan, kahit pa may pamimilit mula sa mas makapangyarihang mananalakay.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse introduces the dharma of refuge: when a frightened being seeks shelter, especially from a ruler, protection becomes a moral obligation. It foregrounds the king’s role as guardian of the vulnerable, even when the threat is powerful.
A hawk attacks a pigeon. The pigeon escapes and runs to the noble king Vṛṣadarbha (Uśīnara) for protection, setting up a moral test about whether the king will uphold the duty of granting refuge.