Shloka 13
Vyāsa’s Counsel to the Concealed Pāṇḍavas; Śaṃkara’s Boon and the Predestination of Draupadī
Chapter 157
सा चिन्तये सदा पुत्र ब्राह्मणस्यास्य कि न््वहम् | प्रियं कुर्यामिति गृहे यत् कुर्युरुषिता: सुखम्,“इसलिये पुत्र! मैं सदा यही सोचती रहती हूँ कि इस ब्राह्मणका मैं कौन-सा प्रिय कार्य करूँ, जिसे किसीके घरमें सुखपूर्वक रहनेवाले लोग किया करते हैं
sā cintaye sadā putra brāhmaṇasyāsya kiṁ nv aham | priyaṁ kuryām iti gṛhe yat kuryur uṣitāḥ sukham ||
Ella dijo: «Hijo mío, por eso reflexiono siempre en esto: ¿qué servicio grato podría yo hacer por este brāhmaṇa, como suelen hacer, por gratitud, quienes viven cómodamente en casa ajena?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharma of gratitude and active reciprocity: when one benefits from another’s shelter or support, one should consciously seek a fitting, pleasing service rather than merely enjoying comfort.
A woman (recounted by Vaiśampāyana) expresses her ongoing concern about how to please and repay an unnamed brāhmaṇa in whose household she is staying, asking what kind of helpful act a comfortable resident/guest would normally perform.