Shloka 153
Adhyāya 174: Karma as an inescapable companion (कर्मानुगमन-उपदेश)
ब्रह्मा चैनं महात्मानमातिथ्येनाभ्यपूजयत् । तदनन्तर बकराज यथोचित रीतिसे ब्रह्माजीकी सभामें गया और ब्रह्माजीने उस महात्माका आतिथ्य-सत्कार किया
brahmā cainaṁ mahātmānam ātithyenābhyapūjayat |
Bhishma sprach: Brahmā ehrte jenen Großgesinnten als Gast, empfing ihn mit gebührender Gastfreundschaft und erwies ihm den angemessenen Respekt – und zeigte damit, dass selbst die höchste Autorität das Dharma wahrt, Würdige zu empfangen und zu ehren.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ātithi-dharma: honoring a worthy guest is a fundamental ethical duty, upheld even by Brahmā himself, implying that social and spiritual order rests on reverence, humility, and proper reception of the virtuous.
Bhīṣma narrates that a great-souled figure arrives before Brahmā, and Brahmā receives him according to proper custom, offering hospitality and honor in his assembly.