Shloka 20
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
इमां कक्ित् परिक्रम्य पृथिवीं शैलभूषणाम् । असकृद ड्विपदां श्रेष्ठ: श्रेष्टस्य गृहमेधिन:
imāṃ kaścit parikramya pṛthivīṃ śailabhūṣaṇām | asakṛd dvipadāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhasya gṛhamedhinaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Tras circunvalar repetidas veces esta tierra adornada con cordilleras, cierto hombre consumado —el más excelso entre los mortales— llegó a la casa de un notable cabeza de familia. El dueño de casa lo honró debidamente, conforme a los ritos. El sabio huésped pasó allí la noche con gran bienestar; su rostro estaba colmado de contento, mostrando la serena alegría que nace cuando la hospitalidad se ofrece y se recibe según el dharma.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of atithi-satkāra (honoring a guest): even a great ascetic finds peace and joy where a householder performs hospitality properly, implying that gṛhastha-dharma—when done according to rule and reverence—has profound spiritual value.
An accomplished sage, after traveling widely around the earth, arrives at the home of an exemplary householder. The householder worshipfully receives him according to prescribed norms, and the sage spends the night happily, visibly pleased.