Shloka 4536
Nāga-āyatana-darśana-pratīkṣā — The Brāhmaṇa’s Request and Waiting on the Gomatī
सुखोपविष्टं विश्रान्तं कृतातिथ्यं सुखस्थितम् । इसके बाद वहाँ आतिथ्य ग्रहण करके सुखपूर्वक बैठकर विश्राम करते हुए नारदजीसे नारायणने इस प्रकार कहा
sukhopaviṣṭaṃ viśrāntaṃ kṛtātithyaṃ sukhasthitam | tataḥ tatra ātithyaṃ gṛhītvā sukhapūrvakaṃ upaviśya viśrāmyantaṃ nāradaṃ prati nārāyaṇaḥ evam uvāca |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: When Nārada had been comfortably seated, rested, duly honored as a guest, and was at ease, Nārāyaṇa—after receiving him with proper hospitality—addressed him in this manner.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before instruction or serious conversation, one should first fulfill atithi-dharma—welcoming, honoring, and settling the guest in comfort. Ethical discourse is grounded in right conduct.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Nārada has been seated and refreshed after being properly received. Only then does Nārāyaṇa begin speaking to him, setting up the ensuing dialogue.