Shloka 8
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
पाद्यार्ष्याचमनीयैस्तं स्वागतेन च भारत । तथैव परिजग्राह वन्येन हविषा तदा,भारत! पाद्य, अर्घ्य, आचमनीय, स्वागत-भाषण तथा वन्य हविष्य आदिसे उन्होंने विश्वामित्रजीका सत्कार किया
pādyārṣyācamanaīyais taṃ svāgatena ca bhārata | tathaiva parijagrāha vanyena haviṣā tadā ||
O Bhārata, he received him with the customary honors—water for washing the feet, the arghya offering, water for sipping, and words of welcome. In the same manner, at that time he also honored him with oblations available from the forest. The verse highlights the dharma of hospitality: even in the wilderness, one should honor a guest according to one’s means, preserving dignity, respect, and dharma.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches atithi-dharma: a guest should be honored with respectful offerings and kind words, and one should offer what is available—even simple forest provisions—without neglecting courtesy and ritual propriety.
A host receives an honored visitor with formal reception rites—pādya, arghya, ācamanīya, and a welcome—then further honors him with forest-sourced oblations, showing respectful hospitality despite limited resources.