Shloka 39
अतिथीनां च सर्वेषां प्रेष्याणां स्वजनस्य च । तथा शरणकामानां गोप्ता स्यात् स्वागतप्रद:
atithīnāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ preṣyāṇāṃ svajanasya ca | tathā śaraṇakāmānāṃ goptā syāt svāgatapradaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Ein wahrhaft aufrechter Mensch soll Beschützer und gütiger Gastgeber sein für alle Gäste, für die Dienenden im Haus, für die eigenen Verwandten und ebenso für jene, die Zuflucht suchen. Das hier gelehrte ethische Ideal ist Gastfreundschaft, verbunden mit Verantwortung: andere ehrenvoll aufzunehmen und für ihre Sicherheit zu sorgen, wenn sie auf dich angewiesen sind.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold dharma by protecting and warmly receiving those who depend on one’s care—guests, household workers, one’s own kin, and especially people seeking refuge. Hospitality is not merely courtesy; it includes guardianship and responsibility.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct. Here he states a normative rule for the satpuruṣa (good person): to be a protector and giver of welcome to guests, dependents, relatives, and refuge-seekers.