Shloka 6
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
अहन्यहनि यो दद्यात् कपिलां द्वादशी: समा: । मासि मासि च सत्रेण यो यजेत सदा नर:
bhīṣma uvāca | ahany ahani yo dadyāt kapilāṁ dvādaśīḥ samāḥ | māsi māsi ca satreṇa yo yajeta sadā naraḥ |
Bhishma dit : «Quand bien même un homme donnerait, jour après jour, une vache fauve en aumône pendant douze années entières, et quand bien même, mois après mois, il entretiendrait sans rupture une session sacrificielle, le mérite de tels actes religieux ne saurait égaler le fruit obtenu par celui dont le service comble véritablement un hôte.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That sincere service and hospitality which truly satisfies a guest yields a higher ethical and spiritual fruit than even immense, long-term charity (like daily cow-gifts for twelve years) or continuous sacrificial performances.
Bhishma is instructing on dharma and comparing the merit of grand ritual acts and donations with the merit of atithi-seva, emphasizing that lived compassion and respectful care for guests is superior.