Shloka 3.7.7
सुतीक्ष्णाश्रमप्रवेशः — Entry into Sutikshna’s Hermitage
स निरीक्ष्य ततो धीरो रामं धर्मभृतां वरम्।समाश्लिष्य च बाहुभ्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।3.7.7।।
tataḥ śubhaṃ tāpasabhojyam annaṃ svayaṃ sutīkṣṇaḥ puruṣarṣabhābhyām |
tābhyāṃ susatkṛtya dadau mahātmā sandhyānivṛttau rajanīṃ aveक्षya || 3.7.24 ||
Then, seeing that twilight had ended and night had come, the great-souled Sutikṣṇa himself, after honoring the two best of men with due hospitality, offered them auspicious food fit for ascetics.
Thereafter the composed Sutikshna, looked at Rama, the best among righteous men, and embracing him with both his arms said:
Dharma is expressed as atithi-satkāra (hospitality): the sage serves guests at the proper time with pure, appropriate food, embodying compassionate righteousness.
Night falls; Sutikṣṇa honors Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and provides them food suitable for ascetic life at the hermitage.
Generosity and disciplined care—Sutikṣṇa’s attentive hospitality guided by sacred routine.