Shloka 19
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
अभिगम्योपसंगृहा[ पर्यपृच्छटदनामयम् । तमर्चित्वा मूलफलैरासनेनोदकेन च,निकट जाकर उनके चरणोंमें नमस्कार करके दम्भोद्धवने उन दोनोंका कुशल-समाचार पूछा। तब नर और नारायणने राजाका स्वागत-सत्कार करके आसन, जल और फल-मूल देकर उन्हें भोजनके लिये निमन्त्रित किया। तदनन्तर पूछा कि हम आपकी कया सेवा करें? यह सुनकर उन्होंने अपना सारा वृत्तान्त पुनः अक्षरश: सुना दिया
abhigamyopasaṅgṛhya paryapṛcchat tad-anāmayam | tam arcitvā mūla-phalair āsanenodakena ca ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having approached and respectfully greeted them, he inquired about their well-being. After honoring the visitor with roots and fruits, a seat, and water, Nara and Nārāyaṇa welcomed him with due hospitality and invited him to partake of food. Then they asked, “How may we serve you?” Hearing this, he related his entire account again, word for word.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is shown through courteous approach, inquiry into others’ welfare, and proper hospitality; truthfulness is upheld by recounting events accurately and without distortion.
A visitor approaches Nara and Nārāyaṇa, pays respects, asks about their well-being, and is received with simple offerings (seat, water, roots and fruits). They then ask how they may help, and the visitor narrates his full story in detail.