Shloka 12
Janamejaya’s Appeal for Pacification and Śaunaka’s Counsel on Humility (जनमेजय-शौनक संवादः)
वह लुहारके घर जाकर आग ले आया और सूखे पत्तोंपर रखकर उसने वहाँ अग्नि प्रज्वलित कर दी ।।
sa sandīptaṁ mahat kṛtvā tam āha śaraṇāgatam | pratāpaya suviśrabdhaḥ svagātrāṇy akuto-bhayaḥ ||
Pumunta siya sa bahay ng panday upang kumuha ng apoy, inilagay iyon sa mga tuyong dahon, at doon niya pinasiklab ang apoy. Nang mapaliyab niya ito nang malaki, hinarap ng kalapati ang panauhing dumulog para sa kanlungan at sinabi: “Kapatid, wala ka nang dapat ikatakot ngayon. Mapanatag ka—painitin at paginhawahin mo ang lahat ng iyong mga sangkap sa apoy na ito.”
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.