Shloka 69
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
सुरतं ते<स्तु विप्राग्रय प्रीतिर्हि परमा मम । गृहस्थस्य हि धर्मो5ग्रय: सम्प्राप्तातिथिपूजनम्
surataṁ te 'stu viprāgrya prītir hi paramā mama | gṛhasthasya hi dharmo 'gryaḥ samprāptātithi-pūjanam ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Oh, el más excelso de los brahmanes, que tu deseo se cumpla; ello me da la mayor satisfacción. Pues el deber supremo de un cabeza de familia es honrar al huésped que ha llegado a su casa.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates atithi-pūjana—respectful reception and honoring of a guest—as the foremost dharma of a householder, presenting hospitality as a central ethical obligation.
Bhishma addresses a Brahmin respectfully, grants or affirms the fulfillment of his request, and explains that doing so pleases him because honoring an arrived guest is the highest duty for one living the householder stage of life.