Shloka 4.60.18

सम्पातिवृत्तान्तः — Sampāti’s Account and the Sage Niśākara

Devanagari script

सौम्य वैकल्यतां दृष्ट्वा रोम्णां ते नावगम्यते।अग्निदग्धाविमौ पक्षौ व्रणाश्चापि शरीरके।।4.60.18।।

Transliteration

ṛṣis tu dṛṣṭvā māṃ prītaḥ praviṣṭaś cāśramaṃ punaḥ | muhūrta-mātrān niṣkramya tataḥ kāryam apṛcchat || 4.60.17 ||

Translation

The sage, pleased on seeing me, entered the hermitage again; then, coming out after only a brief moment, he asked me my purpose.

Context

'O gentle one! seeing your body devoid of hair I can understood that your wings have been burnt and your body bruised.

Characters & Entities

• Ṛṣi (Niśākara, implied)
• Āśrama (hermitage)
• Sampāti (implied as 'me')

FAQs

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

It models dharmic hospitality and truthful inquiry: a wise person receives a visitor with kindness and then asks the visitor’s purpose directly.

What is the narrative situation?

The sage notices Sampāti, briefly goes inside, returns quickly, and asks why Sampāti has come.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The sage’s attentiveness and courtesy—he does not ignore the visitor and promptly attends to his need.