Shloka 13
स तान्नरवरश्रेष्ठानाराद् वीक्ष्य स्वबान्धवान् । प्रत्युत्थाय प्रमुदित: परिष्वज्याभिनन्द्य च ॥ १३ ॥ ननाम कृष्णं रामं च स तैरप्यभिवादित: । पूजयामास विधिवत् कृतासनपरिग्रहान् ॥ १४ ॥
sa tān nara-vara-śreṣṭhān ārād vīkṣya sva-bāndhavān pratyutthāya pramuditaḥ pariṣvajyābhinandya ca
Seeing from afar his own relatives, the most exalted among men, Akrūra rose up in delight. Embracing them and offering greetings, he bowed to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and They greeted him in return. Then, after his guests had taken their seats, Akrūra worshiped them in accordance with scriptural rites.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the others approached Akrūra in a friendly attitude. At first Akrūra reciprocated that friendly mood, and then, in the course of showing them hospitality, he adopted his natural devotional attitude toward the Lord and thus offered his obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Śrī Balarāma.
FAQs
This verse shows the ideal reception—rising up, embracing, and offering sincere greetings—expressing respect and affection, especially toward saintly or beloved visitors.
Akrura recognized them as his beloved kinsmen and the most exalted persons; overwhelmed with joy and devotion, he welcomed them with affectionate honor.
Receive family, elders, and spiritually-minded guests with genuine respect—stand up, speak kindly, and offer warm hospitality rather than casual indifference.