Shloka 58

Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya

Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra

Devanagari script

प्रतिगृहा तु विश्वात्मा स्वयम्भूरमितद्युति: । सान्त्वमानार्थसम्भोगैर्युनक्ति मनुजाधिप,मनुजेश्वर! अमित तेजस्वी विश्वात्मा स्वयम्भू उन सब अतिथियोंको अपनाकर उन्हें सान्त्वना देते, उनका सम्मान करते, उनके प्रयोजनकी पूर्ति करके उन सबको आवश्यकता तथा रुचिके अनुसार भोगसामग्री प्रदान करते हैं

Transliteration

pratigṛhā tu viśvātmā svayambhūr amitadyutiḥ | sāntvamānārthasambhogair yunakti manujādhipa, manujeśvara ||

Translation

Nārada said: “In every house, the Self of all—Svayambhū, of immeasurable splendor—embraces those guests, consoles them, honors them, fulfills the purpose of their visit, and then provides them with enjoyments and provisions suited to their need and inclination, O lord of men.”

Word by Word

• {'pratigṛhā': 'in every house

• house by house', 'tu': 'indeed

• and', 'viśvātmā': 'the universal Self

• the Self of all beings', 'svayambhūḥ': 'the Self-existent

• Brahmā/the Creator', 'amitadyutiḥ': 'of immeasurable radiance/splendor', 'sāntvamāna': 'consolation

• soothing reassurance', 'artha': 'purpose

• practical aim', 'sambhoga': 'enjoyment

• objects of use/pleasure', 'yunakti': 'joins

• engages (them) with', 'manujādhipa': 'lord of men

• king', 'manujeśvara': 'ruler of men

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Svayambhū (Brahmā)
• Viśvātmā (the Universal Self)
• manujādhipa/manujeśvara (the addressed king)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches atithi-dharma (the duty toward guests): true righteousness is shown by welcoming others warmly, consoling them, honoring them, meeting their practical needs, and offering suitable provisions—an ideal especially expected of rulers and householders.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada describes how the radiant Svayambhū, identified as the universal Self, receives guests in every household—adopting them with kindness, giving reassurance and respect, fulfilling their aims, and providing appropriate enjoyments and necessities—while addressing a king as the listener.