Shloka 11
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
तदा देवासुरे युद्धे भये जाते दिवौकसाम् | अयाचत महात्मानौ नरनारायणौ वरम्
tadā devāsure yuddhe bhaye jāte divaukasām | ayācata mahātmānau naranārāyaṇau varam |
اسی وقت دیوتاؤں اور اسوروں کی جنگ برپا ہوئی اور آسمانی باسیوں پر بڑا خوف طاری ہو گیا؛ تب انہوں نے اُن دو عظیم النفس، نر اور نارائن، سے ایک ور (نعمت) کی درخواست کی۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, power alone is insufficient: even the gods turn toward those established in tapas and dharma. The verse highlights the ethical hierarchy where spiritual authority and righteousness become the true refuge amid violence and fear.
A deva–asura battle has broken out, and the gods are frightened. They approach the twin sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa and request a boon—setting up their intervention or assistance in the conflict.