Shloka 3.12.29

अगस्त्याश्रमप्रवेशः तथा दिव्यायुधप्रदानम् (Entry into Agastya’s Hermitage and the Gift of Divine Weapons)

Devanagari script

अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथिं प्रतिपूजयेत्।अन्यथा खलु काकुत्स्थ तपस्वी समुदाचरन्।।।।दुःसाक्षीव परे लोके स्वानि मांसानि भक्षयेत्।

Transliteration

agniṃ hutvā pradāyārghyam atithiṃ pratipūjayet |

anyathā khalu kākutstha tapasvī samudācaran ||

duḥsākṣīva pare loke svāni māṃsāni bhakṣayet |

Translation

“Only after offering oblations into the fire and presenting the arghya should one honor a guest. Otherwise, O Kakutstha, a host—though an ascetic—who acts differently will, in the next world, like a false witness, have to eat his own flesh.”

Context

O scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, only after offering oblations to the Fire-god, a guest should be worshipped with water etc. Otherwise the host will have to eat his own flesh in the other world like a false witness.

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Arghya
• Atithi (guest)
• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• False witness (duḥsākṣī)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Guest-honoring (atithi-dharma) must be performed in the right order and with sincerity; the verse also condemns falsehood by comparing negligent conduct to the grave sin of false testimony, emphasizing Satya as a pillar of dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Agastya instructs Rāma on the correct dhārmic procedure of receiving guests—oblations, arghya, and then worship—warning of karmic consequences if neglected.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Agastya’s moral clarity and commitment to disciplined righteousness; the ideal host is truthful, orderly, and reverent in duty.