Shloka 27
Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)
श्रान्तानप्यथ तान् दूराज्जनक: स्वगृहागतान् । आनीतेष्वासनाग्र्येषु सुखासीनान् महामना: ॥ २७ ॥ प्रवृद्धभक्त्या उद्धर्षहृदयास्राविलेक्षण: । नत्वा तदङ्घ्रीन् प्रक्षाल्य तदपो लोकपावनी: ॥ २८ ॥ सकुटुम्बो वहन् मूर्ध्ना पूजयां चक्र ईश्वरान् । गन्धमाल्याम्बराकल्पधूपदीपार्घ्यगोवृषै: ॥ २९ ॥
śrāntān apy atha tān dūrāj janakaḥ sva-gṛhāgatān ānīteṣv āsanāgryeṣu sukhāsīnān mahā-manāḥ
El rey Bahulāśva, descendiente de Janaka, vio desde lejos al Señor Śrī Kṛṣṇa acercarse a su casa con los sabios, algo fatigados por el viaje. De inmediato mandó traer asientos de honor y los hizo sentar con comodidad. Luego, con la devoción crecida, el corazón desbordante de júbilo y los ojos velados de lágrimas, se postró, lavó sus pies y tomó aquella agua, purificadora del mundo, rociándola sobre su cabeza y la de su familia. Después adoró a esos grandes señores ofreciendo pasta de sándalo fragante, guirnaldas, finas vestiduras y ornamentos, incienso, lámparas, arghya y vacas y toros.
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “Bahulāśva, the King of Videha, was very intelligent and was a perfect gentleman. He was astonished that so many great sages, along with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, were personally present in his home. He knew perfectly well that conditioned souls engaged in worldly affairs cannot be one-hundred-percent pure whereas the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees are always transcendental to worldly contamination. Therefore, when he found that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and all the great sages were at his home, he was astonished, and he began to thank Lord Krsna for His causeless mercy.”
FAQs
This verse shows King Janaka receiving honored visitors with care—bringing excellent seats and ensuring their comfort—illustrating atithi-seva as practical dharma.
Because he recognized their exalted status and, as a noble host, expressed reverence through respectful reception and comfortable seating.
Welcome guests with respect, provide what they need (rest, seat, water/food), and offer genuine attention—seeing service as a spiritual practice.