Shloka 4
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
यथा हि सर्वास्वापत्सु पासि वृष्णीनरिंदम । तथा ते पाण्डवा रक्ष्या: पाह्ुस्मानू महतो भयात्
yathā hi sarvāsv āpatsu pāsi vṛṣṇīn ariṃdama | tathā te pāṇḍavā rakṣyāḥ pāhi asmān ū mahato bhayāt ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O tagapagpasuko ng mga kaaway! Kung paanong pinangangalagaan mo ang mga Vṛṣṇi sa bawat uri ng panganib, gayundin ay dapat mong pangalagaan ang mga Pāṇḍava. Panginoon, iligtas mo kami mula sa malaking pangambang ito.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames protection as a dharmic obligation of a powerful ally: the same steadfast guardianship shown to one’s own people should extend to those who have sought refuge and stand in a just cause, especially in times of grave danger.
In the tense lead-up to war, an appeal is made to a mighty protector—addressed as ‘subduer of foes’—to extend to the Pāṇḍavas the same protective support he gives the Vṛṣṇis, and to rescue them from an imminent, overwhelming threat.