Shloka 49
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
इध्मार्थ तु गते तस्मिन्नग्निपुत्रे सुदर्शने । अतिर्थित्राह्मण: श्रीमांस्तामाहौघवती तदा,एक दिन अम्निपुत्र सुदर्शन जब समिधा लानेके लिये बाहर चले गये, उसी समय उनके घरपर एक तेजस्वी ब्राह्मण अतिथि आया और ओघवतीसे बोला--
idhmārthaṁ tu gate tasminn agniputre sudarśane | atithir brāhmaṇaḥ śrīmāṁs tām āha oghavatīṁ tadā ||
Bhishma said: When Sudarshana, the son of Agni, had gone out to gather firewood, a radiant Brahmin guest arrived at their home. At that moment he addressed Oghavati—setting in motion the duties of hospitality and the testing of household dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds atithi-dharma: the moral priority of honoring an unexpected guest, especially in a householder’s life, even when the primary male householder is absent—implying that dharma is upheld through timely, respectful hospitality.
Sudarshana leaves home to collect firewood for household/sacrificial needs. During his absence, a distinguished Brahmin guest arrives and speaks to Oghavati, initiating an episode centered on how she responds to the obligations of receiving and serving a guest.