Shloka 21
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
शिलवृत्तेगहं प्राप्त: स तेन विधिनार्चित: । उवास रजनी तत्र सुमुख: सुखभागृषि:,मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ कोई सिद्ध पुरुष शैलमालाओंसे अलंकृत इस समूची पृथ्वीकी अनेक बार परिक्रमा करनेके पश्चात् शिलोज्छवृत्तिसे जीविका चलानेवाले एक श्रेष्ठ गृहस्थके घर गया। उस गृहस्थने उसकी विधिपूर्वक पूजा की। वह समागत ऋषि वहाँ बड़े सुखसे रातभर रहा। उसके मुखपर प्रसन्नता छा रही थी
śilavṛtte gṛhaṁ prāptaḥ sa tena vidhinārcitaḥ | uvāsa rajanīṁ tatra sumukhaḥ sukhabhāg ṛṣiḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Having reached the house of a householder who lived by the austere practice of subsisting on gleaned grains (śiloccavṛtti), the accomplished sage was honored by him according to proper rites. The sage then spent the night there in great comfort; his face was serene and pleased—showing the contentment that arises when hospitality is offered in accordance with dharma.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a householder of very austere means can fulfill dharma by receiving a guest with proper respect and prescribed hospitality; such righteous conduct brings peace and visible contentment to the guest.
A siddha-like sage arrives at the home of a householder who lives by gleaning grains; the householder honors him according to ritual propriety, and the sage stays the night there happily, his face showing satisfaction.