Shloka 2
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
राजधर्मोवाच भो: कश्यपस्य पुत्रो5हं माता दाक्षायणी च मे । अतिथि्त्वं गुणोपेत: स्वागत ते द्विजोत्तम
rājadharma uvāca bhoḥ: kaśyapasya putro 'haṃ mātā dākṣāyaṇī ca me | atithitvaṃ guṇopetaḥ svāgataṃ te dvijottama ||
Rājadharma said: “O venerable one, I am a son of Kaśyapa, and my mother is Dākṣāyaṇī, the daughter of Dakṣa Prajāpati. You have come as a guest endowed with virtues; welcome, O best of the twice-born.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds atithi-dharma within rājadharma: a virtuous guest—especially a brāhmaṇa—must be received with honor and welcome, reflecting the ethical duty of rulers (and society) to uphold hospitality and reverence.
A figure identified as Rājadharma introduces himself by lineage (son of Kaśyapa, born of Dākṣāyaṇī) and formally welcomes a distinguished brāhmaṇa guest, setting a tone of respectful reception before further instruction or dialogue.