Shloka 41
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य कुर्वाण: सुमना: सदा । शूद्राणां चान्नकामानां नित्यं सिद्धमिति ब्रुवन्
sarvātithyaṁ trivargasya kurvāṇaḥ sumanāḥ sadā | śūdrāṇāṁ cānna-kāmānāṁ nityaṁ siddham iti bruvan ||
Mahādeva dit : «Qu’un kṣatriya, l’esprit toujours joyeux, pratique sans relâche l’hospitalité envers tous ; et, ce faisant, qu’il poursuive avec mesure les trois buts de la vie—dharma, artha et kāma. Et lorsque des śūdra, désireux de nourriture, viendront en demander, qu’il réponde toujours : “C’est prêt (préparé) pour vous”, les conviant à manger sans délai.»
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya’s righteous conduct includes universal hospitality and prompt generosity—especially feeding those who ask for food—while pursuing the three aims of life (dharma, artha, kāma) in a disciplined, ethical way.
Mahādeva is instructing on kṣatriya-dharma: the ruler/warrior should maintain a welcoming household and respond to requests for food—particularly from śūdras seeking sustenance—by assuring them that food is ready and inviting them to eat.