Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī
Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude
तं वै विदर्भाधिपति: समभ्येत्याभिपूज्य च । निवेशयामास मुदा कल्पितान्यनिवेशने ॥ १६ ॥
taṁ vai vidarbhādhipatiḥ samabhyetyābhipūjya ca niveśayām āsa mudā kalpitānya-niveśane
Bhīṣmaka, seigneur de Vidarbha, sortit de la cité pour accueillir le roi Damaghoṣa, lui rendit les honneurs, puis, avec joie, l’installa dans une demeure spécialement préparée pour l’occasion.
This verse shows the Vidarbha king personally greeting, worshiping, and seating Kṛṣṇa—illustrating that honoring a worthy guest (especially the Lord and His devotees) is a core expression of dharma and devotion.
In the narrative of Rukmiṇī’s intended marriage, Kṛṣṇa arrives at Kuṇḍina; Bhīṣmaka, recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position and royal dignity, receives Him with worship and proper arrangements.
Practice devotional hospitality—receive guests with respect, offer a clean place, kind words, and service—seeing such care as a spiritual act rather than mere social formality.