Shloka 7
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य वसिष्ठ: श्रेष्ठभागृषि: । विश्वामित्र नरश्रेष्ठ प्रतिजग्राह पूजया,एक दिन वे अपने मन्त्रियोंके साथ गहन वनमें आखेटके लिये गये। मरुप्रदेशके सुरम्य वनोंमें उन्होंने वराहों और अन्य हिंसक पशुओंको मारते हुए एक हिंसक पशुको पकड़नेके लिये उसका पीछा किया। अधिक परिश्रमके कारण उन्हें बड़ा कष्ट सहना पड़ा। नरश्रेष्ठ! वे प्याससे पीड़ित हो महर्षि वसिष्ठके आश्रममें आये। मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ महाराज विश्वामित्रको आया देख पूजनीय पुरुषोंकी पूजा करनेवाले महर्षि वसिष्ठने उनका सत्कार करते हुए आतिथ्य ग्रहण करनेके लिये आमन्त्रित किया
tam āgatam abhiprekṣya vasiṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhabhāg ṛṣiḥ | viśvāmitra naraśreṣṭha pratijagrāha pūjayā ||
Seeing him arrive, the eminent sage Vasiṣṭha—foremost among the seers—received Viśvāmitra, best of men, with due honor. In the narrative, Viśvāmitra, wearied by the hunt and afflicted by thirst, comes to the hermitage; Vasiṣṭha exemplifies the dharma of hospitality by welcoming even a powerful king with reverence and proper reception.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma: a householder-sage should receive a guest—especially one who arrives fatigued or in need—with honor and generosity. Vasiṣṭha’s respectful welcome models ethical conduct that transcends status differences between ascetic and king.
After a strenuous hunt in the forest, King Viśvāmitra (with his ministers) becomes exhausted and thirsty and comes to Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage. Seeing him arrive, Vasiṣṭha receives him with due worship and invites him to accept hospitality.