Shloka 26
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
प्रह्माद उवाच उदकं मधुपर्क वाप्यानयन्तु सुधन्वने । ब्रह्मन्न भ्यर्चनीयो 5सि श्वेता गौ: पीवरी कृता,प्रह्नमादने कहा--सेवको! सुधन्वाके लिये जल और मधुपर्क भी लाओ। [फिर सुधन्वासे कहा--] ब्रह्मन! तुम मेरे पूजनीय अतिथि हो, मैंने तुम्हें दान करनेके लिये खूब मोटी-ताजी सफेद गौ रख रखी है
Prahlāda uvāca | udakaṃ madhuparkaṃ vāpy ānayantu sudhanvane | brahmann abhyarcanīyo ’si śvetā gauḥ pīvarī kṛtā ||
Prahlāda said: “Bring water and the honey-mixture (madhuparka) as well for Sudhanvan. O Brāhmaṇa, you are worthy of honor as my guest; I have kept ready a well-fed, robust white cow to be given in hospitality.”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores atithi-dharma: an honored guest—especially a brāhmaṇa—should be received with respect and proper offerings (water, madhuparka) and generosity (a prepared gift such as a cow). Ethical conduct is shown through reverence, readiness to give, and careful observance of hospitality rites.
Prahlāda instructs attendants to bring the customary hospitality items for Sudhanvan and then addresses him respectfully as a brāhmaṇa guest, stating that a well-fed white cow has been kept ready as a gift—indicating formal reception and honor.