Shloka 36
Vasiṣṭhāpavāha: Sarasvatī’s Diversion and Viśvāmitra’s Curse (वसिष्ठापवाहः)
यो यत्र स्थित एवेह आहूतो यज्ञसंस्तरे,राजाके यज्ञमण्डपमें बुलाकर आया हुआ जो ब्राह्मण जहाँ कहीं ठहर गया, वहीं उसके लिये सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ सरस्वतीने पृथक्-पृथक् गृह, शय्या, आसन, षड्रस भोजन तथा नाना प्रकारके दानकी व्यवस्था की
yo yatra sthita eveha āhūto yajñasaṃstare | rājake yajñamaṇḍape bulākara āyaḥ yo brāhmaṇaḥ yatra kvacid tiṣṭhati, tatraiva tasya saritāṃ śreṣṭhā sarasvatī pṛthak-pṛthag gṛha-śayyā-āsana-ṣaḍrasa-bhojana-nānāvidha-dāna-vyavasthāṃ cakāra |
Vaiśampāyana said: In that sacrificial enclosure, whichever Brahmin had been invited and had come to the king’s yajña—wherever he happened to settle down—right there the Sarasvatī, foremost among rivers, arranged for him individually a dwelling, a bed, a seat, food of the six tastes, and many kinds of gifts.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma through atithi-satkāra (honoring invited guests) and dāna (generosity): those who come for sacred rites—especially learned Brahmins—should be provided individualized lodging, comfort, nourishing food, and appropriate gifts.
During a royal sacrifice, invited Brahmins arrive and settle wherever they find space. The sacred river Sarasvatī is described as ensuring that each one, wherever he stays, receives separate arrangements—house, bed, seat, rich food, and various donations—so the yajña proceeds with proper hospitality.