Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
श्रीभगवानुवाच एवं लक्षणमुत्पाद्य परस्परकृतं तदा । सख्यं चैवातुलं कृत्वा रुद्रेण सहितावृषी
śrībhagavān uvāca— evaṃ lakṣaṇam utpādya paraspara-kṛtaṃ tadā | sakhyaṃ caivātulaṃ kṛtvā rudreṇa sahitāv ṛṣī ||
The Blessed Lord said: “Thus, having then produced on their bodies the mutually made marks as tokens of recognition and bond, the two sages—together with Rudra—established an incomparable friendship. After dismissing the gods, they became tranquil in mind and resumed their austerities as before. In this way I have related to you the account of Nārāyaṇa’s victory in the battle.”
अर्जुन उवाच
The verse highlights reconciliation and enduring alliance grounded in shared signs and mutual recognition, culminating in inner calm and a return to tapas. Ethically, it presents harmony among divine powers (Rudra and Nārāyaṇa’s sphere) and the ideal of restoring peace after conflict.
Kṛṣṇa explains to Arjuna that two sages, after creating mutual identifying marks, formed an incomparable friendship with Rudra. They then dismissed the assembled gods, became serene, and resumed their former austerities—framing this as part of the broader account of Nārāyaṇa’s victory in battle.