Shloka 17
कālacakra-वर्णनम् तथा āśrama-धarma-निरूपणम्
The Wheel of Time and the Norms of the Āśramas
देवतातिथिशिष्टाशी निरतो वेदकर्मसु । इज्याप्रदानयुक्तश्चन यथाशक्ति यथासुखम्,गृहस्थको उचित है कि वह देवता और अतिथियोंको भोजन करानेके बाद बचे हुए अन्नका स्वयं आहार करे। वेदोक्त कर्मोंके अनुष्ठानमें संलग्न रहे। अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार प्रसन्नतापूर्वक यज्ञ करे और दान दे
devatātithiśiṣṭāśī nirato vedakarmasu | ijyāpradānayuktaś ca yathāśakti yathāsukham ||
Vāyu said: “A householder should eat only what remains after first feeding the gods (through offerings) and the guest. He should remain devoted to the duties enjoined by the Veda, and, according to his capacity and with a contented mind, perform worship and sacrifice and also give gifts in charity.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the ethical discipline of the householder: prioritize offerings and hospitality (gods and guests) before personal consumption, remain steady in Vedic obligations, and practice worship and charity within one’s means and with a peaceful, contented attitude.
Vāyu (the Wind-god) is instructing on proper conduct, specifically outlining the daily dharma of a gṛhastha—how one should eat, perform Vedic rites, and balance sacrifice and giving according to capacity.