Shloka 41
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य कुर्वाण: सुमना: सदा । शूद्राणां चान्नकामानां नित्यं सिद्धमिति ब्रुवन्,क्षत्रिय सदा प्रसन्नतापूर्वक सबका आतिथ्य-सत्कार करते हुए धर्म, अर्थ और कामका सेवन करें। शूद्र भी यदि अन्नकी इच्छा रखकर उसके लिये प्रार्थना करे तो क्षत्रिय उनके लिये सदा यही उत्तर दे कि तुम्हारे लिये भोजन तैयार है, चलो कर लो
sarvātithyaṁ trivargasya kurvāṇaḥ sumanāḥ sadā | śūdrāṇāṁ cānna-kāmānāṁ nityaṁ siddham iti bruvan ||
Mahādeva said: “Let a kṣatriya, ever cheerful in mind, continually practice universal hospitality, and while doing so pursue the three aims of life—dharma, artha, and kāma—in proper measure. And when śūdras who desire food come and ask for it, he should always reply, ‘It is ready (prepared) for you’—inviting them to eat without delay.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya’s righteous conduct includes universal hospitality and prompt generosity—especially feeding those who ask for food—while pursuing the three aims of life (dharma, artha, kāma) in a disciplined, ethical way.
Mahādeva is instructing on kṣatriya-dharma: the ruler/warrior should maintain a welcoming household and respond to requests for food—particularly from śūdras seeking sustenance—by assuring them that food is ready and inviting them to eat.