Shloka 34
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
भीष्म उवाच अर्घ्य पाद्यं च दत्त्वा स तेभ्यस्तत्र समागमे । अब्रवीत् परमप्रीत: स्वशक््त्या कि करोमि व:
bhīṣma uvāca | arghya-pādyaṃ ca dattvā sa tebhyaḥ tatra samāgame | abravīt paramaprītaḥ svaśaktyā kiṃ karomi vaḥ ||
ভীষ্মে ক’লে—হে ৰাজন, তাত তেওঁলোক সকলো একেলগে সমাগত হোৱাত ব্ৰাহ্মণে তেওঁলোকক অৰ্ঘ্য আৰু পাদ্য দান কৰি পৰম আনন্দে ক’লে—‘হে দেবগণ, মোৰ সামৰ্থ্য অনুসাৰে মই আপোনালোকৰ কি সেৱা কৰোঁ?’
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as respectful hospitality and humble service: one should honor worthy guests with proper rites (arghya, pādya) and offer help within one’s means (svaśaktyā), without pride or neglect.
As the divine visitors gather, a brahmin receives them formally by offering arghya and water for washing their feet. Delighted, he asks what service he can provide them according to his capacity.