“And it so happened that the slayer of Madhu suddenly beheld an Asura of the name of Maya escaping from the abode of Takshaka. Agni having Vayu for his car-driver, assuming a body with matted locks on head, and roaring like the clouds, pursued the Asura, desirous of consuming him. Beholding the Asura, Vasudeva stood with his weapon upraised, ready to smite him down, seeing the discus uplifted and Agni pursuing from behind to burn him, Maya said ‘Run to me, O Arjuna, and protect me!’ Hearing his affrighted voice Arjuna said, ‘Fear not!’ That voice of Arjuna, O Bharata, seemed to give Maya his life. As the merciful son of Pritha said unto Maya that there was nothing to fear, he of the Dasarha race no longer desired to slay Maya who was the brother of Namuchi, and Agni also burned him not.’Mbh 1.230.3 · Mahabharata · ADI PARVA
Mbh 1.230.3
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
FearCharityChildrenCourageFamilyMercyProtection
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
See what all six traditions say about fear →
Search every tradition at once
Ask a question in your own words and see how six traditions answer it.