Shloka 23
Ākiṃcanya–Tyāga Upadeśa
The Instruction on Non-ownership and Renunciation
राजधर्मोवाच स्वागतं भवतो विप्र दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोड्सि मे गृहम् । अस्तं च सविता यात: संध्येयं समुपस्थिता
rājadharma uvāca—svāgataṃ bhavato vipra diṣṭyā prāpto ’si me gṛham | astaṃ ca savitā yātaḥ sandhyeyaṃ samupasthitā ||
Rājadharma said: “Welcome to you, O brāhmaṇa. By good fortune you have arrived at my house. The Sun has gone down, and the time for the twilight rites has come.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two pillars of dharma: honoring a worthy guest with respectful welcome, and observing time-bound daily duties (sandhyā rites) as the sun sets—showing that ethical conduct and ritual discipline support righteous kingship.
Rājadharma addresses a visiting brāhmaṇa, welcomes him into his home as a fortunate event, and notes that the sun has set and the twilight observance is now due—setting the scene for proper reception and timely religious duty.