Shloka 14
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
अभ्यवादयत प्रीत्या विनयावनतस्तदा । तदर्हमासनं तस्मै सम्प्रदाय यथाविधि,सम्पूर्ण धर्मोंके ज्ञाता पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ राजा युधिष्ठिरने देवर्षि नारदको आया देख भाइयोंसहित सहसा उठकर उन्हें प्रेम, विनय और नम्रतापूर्वक उस समय नमस्कार किया और उन्हें उनके योग्य आसन देकर धर्मज्ञ नरेशने गौ, मधुपर्क तथा अर्घ्य आदि उपचार अर्पण करते हुए रत्नोंसे उनका विधिपूर्वक पूजन किया तथा उनकी सब इच्छाओंकी पूर्ति करके उन्हें संतुष्ट किया
abhyavādayat prītyā vinayāvanatas tadā | tad-arham āsanaṃ tasmai sampradāya yathāvidhi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, bowing with humility and courtesy, he greeted him with affection. Having duly offered him a seat befitting his rank, he honored him according to proper custom—receiving the divine sage with the full etiquette of hospitality, thereby upholding dharma through reverent welcome and service.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as proper hospitality (atithi-satkāra): greeting with affection, humility, and offering an appropriate seat and honors according to established custom—showing that ethical kingship includes reverence toward sages and disciplined conduct.
As narrated by Vaiśampāyana, Yudhiṣṭhira (with humility) respectfully greets the arriving revered guest (the sage Nārada) and offers him a suitable seat and due honors in accordance with prescribed etiquette.