"'Saudasa said, "Kshatriyas are seen to honour the Brahmanas from the very beginning of the creation. Towards the Brahmanas, however, many offences arise (on the part of Kshatriyas). As regards myself, I am always bent in humility before them. I am overtaken by a calamity through a Brahmana. Possessed of Madayanti, I do not see any other refuge. Indeed, O foremost of all persons having of a high goal, I do not behold any other refuge for myself in the matter of approaching the gates of Heaven, or in continuing here, O best of regenerate ones. It is impossible for a king that is hostile to Brahmanas to continue living in this world or in attaining to happiness in the next. Hence have I given thee these my jewelled ear-rings which were coveted by thee.[173] Do thou now keep the compact which thou hast made with me today."Mbh 14.58.3 · Mahabharata · ASWAMEDHA PARVA
Mbh 14.58.3
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
ProtectionCreationThe DivineHumilityLeadership
Protection in other traditions
The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hellenism address it.
That is the safe refuge, that is the best refuge; having gone to that refuge, a man is delivered from all pain.Dhp 14.192 · Dhammapada · The Buddha (The Awakened)
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.Psalms 121:7 · Bible · Psalms
Say: Lo! none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge beside HimQuran 72:22 · Quran · The Jinn
Now shield with shield, with helmet helmet closed, To armour armour, lance to lance opposed, Host against host with shadowy squadrons drew, The sounding darts in iron tempests flew, Victors and vanquish’d join’d promiscuous cries, And shrilling shouts and dying groans arise; With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed, And slaughter’d heroes swell the dreadful tide.Iliad 4.38 · Iliad · 4
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