Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
घृतं ममार्चिषो लोके जन्तूनां प्राणधारणम् । घृतार्चिरहमव्यग्रैवेंदज्ै: परिकीर्तित:
ghṛtaṃ mamārciṣo loke jantūnāṃ prāṇadhāraṇam | ghṛtārciḥ aham avyagrair vedajñaiḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||
এই জগতত ঘৃত জীৱসকলৰ প্ৰাণধাৰণৰ পোষণ, কিয়নো সেয়াই মোৰ শিখাক প্ৰজ্বলিত কৰে। সেয়ে অব্যগ্ৰ, শান্তচিত্ত বেদজ্ঞ মুনিসকলে মোক ‘ঘৃতাৰ্চি’—ঘৃতপোষিত দীপ্তিযুক্ত—বুলি কীৰ্তন কৰিছে।
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
The verse teaches that offerings like ghee are not merely ceremonial: they symbolize and enact the sustaining of life (prāṇa) and the maintenance of dharma/ṛta through composed, knowledgeable practice. Hence Agni is praised as “Ghṛtārci,” whose flame is nourished by ghee.
A divine voice identifies itself through an epithet: explaining that ghee kindles its flame and supports beings’ vitality, it states that Veda-knowing sages therefore call it “Ghṛtārci.” This functions as self-description and doctrinal clarification within the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse.