Shloka 5
Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)
एकदा गृहमानीय आतिथ्येन निमन्त्र्य तम् । श्रद्धयोपहृतं भैक्ष्यं बलेन बुभुजे किल ॥ ५ ॥
ekadā gṛham ānīya ātithyena nimantrya tam śraddhayopahṛtaṁ bhaikṣyaṁ balena bubhuje kila
Eines Tages brachte der Herr Balarāma ihn in Sein Haus und lud ihn als Gast zu einem Mahl ein. Da aß Arjuna die Speise, die der Herr ihm ehrfürchtig darbrachte.
From the explanation of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, it is understood that Arjuna in his sannyāsī role had just finished the four-month vows of the rainy season and could now again accept general invitations from householders. Thus no one would have suspected any unusual motive in his visiting Lord Balarāma at this time.
FAQs
This verse highlights that when food is offered with genuine faith, the Lord (here Balarāma) accepts it, showing that devotion, not opulence, is primary.
To honor His guest and the devotee’s sincere offering, teaching that hospitality and heartfelt devotion are spiritually significant regardless of the food’s simplicity.
Receive guests respectfully and offer what you can with sincerity—especially food offered in a devotional mood—valuing faith and care over display.