Sacred Concord

Mbh 3.278.2b

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

And when those Rakshasas had gone away, one of their number known by the name of Trijata, who was virtuous and agreeable in speech, began to console the princess of Videha. And she said, ‘Listen, O Sita! I will tell thee something! O friend, believe in what I say! O thou of fair hips, cast off thy fears, and listen to what I say. There is an intelligent and old chief of the Rakshasas known by the name of Avindhya. He always seeketh Rama’s good and hath told me these words for thy sake! ‘Reassuring and cheering her, tell Sita in my name, saying: ‘Thy husband the mighty Rama is well and is waited upon by Lakshmana. And the blessed descendant of Raghu hath already made friends with Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, and is ready to act for thee! And, O timid lady, entertain thou no fear on account of Ravana, who is censured by the whole world, for, O daughter, thou art safe from him on account of Nalakuvera’s curse. Indeed, this wretch had been cursed before for his having violated his daughter-in-law, Rambha. This lustful wretch is not able to violate any woman by force. Thy husband will soon come, protected by Sugriva and with the intelligent son of Sumitra in his train, and will soon take thee away hence! O lady, I have had a most terrible dream of evil omen, indicating the destruction of this wicked-minded wretch of Pulastya’s race! This night wanderer of mean deeds is, indeed, most wicked and cruel. He inspireth terror in all by the defects of his nature and the wickedness of his conduct. And deprived of his senses by Fate, he challengeth the very gods. In my vision I have seen every indication of his downfall. I have seen the Ten-headed, with his crown shaven and body besmeared with oil, sunk in mire, and the next moment dancing on a chariot drawn by mules. I have seen Kumbhakarna and others, perfectly naked and with crowns shaven, decked with red wreaths and unguents, and running towards the southern direction.
Mbh 3.278.2b · Mahabharata · VANA PARVA

Themes in this passage

FearChildrenFriendshipMarriageSinSpeechComfortDharma

Fear in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity address it.

They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
Dhp 22.317 · Dhammapada · The Downward Course
When the people do not fear what they ought to fear, that which is their great dread will come on them.
Tao Te Ching 72.1 · Tao Te Ching
It is only the devil who would make (men) fear his partisans. Fear them not; fear Me, if ye are true believers.
Quran 3:175 · Quran · The Family Of Imran
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Isaiah 8:12 · Bible · Isaiah

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