Shloka 396
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
क्षीणो5न्नसंचयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय । “तब परम सुन्दरी अरुन्धतीने उन ब्राह्मण देवतासे कहा--'विप्रवर! अन्नका संग्रह तो समाप्त हो गया। अब यहाँ ये बेर हैं, इन्हींको खाइये”
kṣīṇo 'nna-saṃcayo vipra badarāṇīha bhakṣaya |
قال فَيْشَمْبايَنَة: إنّ أروندَتِي، وهي أسمى النساء فضلاً، خاطبت الضيفَ البراهمني قائلة: «أيّها البراهمن الجليل، لقد نفدت مؤونتنا المخزونة. ها هنا ثمارُ السِّدر (الجوْجُب)، فتفضّل بها.» ويُبرز هذا الموضع دارما الضيافة: فحتى في الشدّة يُقدَّم المتاح باحترامٍ وإخلاص.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma (duty to honor a guest): when resources are depleted, one should still offer whatever is available, maintaining respect and goodwill rather than withholding out of fear of scarcity.
A Brahmin guest is to be fed, but the household’s stored food has run out. The speaker (as framed by Vaiśaṃpāyana) has the host offer simple wild fruit (badara) instead, showing practical compassion and steadfast hospitality.