Shloka 31
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
अयाचत च त॑ शुल्क॑ भगवन्तं विभावसुम् । नित्यं सांनिध्यमिह ते चित्रभानो भवेदिति,तदनन्तर उन्होंने कन््याके शुल्करूपसे भगवान् अग्निसे याचना की--'चित्रभानो! इस नगरीमें आपका सदा निवास बना रहे”
ayācata ca śulkaṁ bhagavantaṁ vibhāvasum | nityaṁ sānnidhyam iha te citrabhāno bhaved iti |
قال بيشما: ثم طلبت من فيبهافاسو (أغني) المبارك أن يكون مهرَ العروس، قائلةً: «يا تشِترَبْهانو، ليكن حضورك في هذه المدينة دائمًا.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic orientation toward power and divine aid: one should seek enduring welfare—protection, sanctity, and auspicious order—rather than transient gain. The request for Agni’s constant presence symbolizes stable ritual life and communal well-being.
A woman (as described in the surrounding story) asks Agni—addressed as Vibhāvasu/Citrabhānu—to serve as the śulka (marriage-condition/bride-price), specifically requesting that he remain permanently present in the city.