Shloka 18
Draupadī’s Instruction on Marital Conduct and Household Discipline (चित्तग्रहण-उपदेश)
दृष्टवा ऋषिं भयाच्चापि प्रविवेश महार्णवम् | तस्मिन् नष्टे जगद् भीतमथर्वाणमथाश्रितम् | अर्चयामासुरेवैनमथर्वाणं सुरादय:
dṛṣṭvā ṛṣiṁ bhayāc cāpi praviveśa mahārṇavam | tasmin naṣṭe jagad bhītam atharvāṇam athāśritam | arcayāmāsur evainam atharvāṇaṁ surādayaḥ |
Wika ni Mārkaṇḍeya: Nang makita niya ang rishi, at dahil din sa takot, muli siyang pumasok sa dakilang karagatan. Nang siya’y maglaho, nanginig sa pangamba ang buong daigdig at sumilong kay Atharvan; at sinamba ng mga diyos at ng iba pa ang mismong Atharvan na iyon.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the world is shaken by fear and uncertainty, it turns toward a worthy refuge—here, a venerable seer (Atharvan). The passage underscores the ethical idea that spiritual authority and disciplined wisdom can stabilize society when ordinary supports fail.
A figure, frightened upon seeing a sage, retreats into the great ocean and disappears from view. This disappearance terrifies the world, which then seeks protection in Atharvan; the gods and others respond by honoring and worshipping Atharvan.