Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 39
अतिथीनां च सर्वेषां प्रेष्याणां स्वजनस्य च । तथा शरणकामानां गोप्ता स्यात् स्वागतप्रद:
atithīnāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ preṣyāṇāṃ svajanasya ca | tathā śaraṇakāmānāṃ goptā syāt svāgatapradaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «L’homme droit et véritable doit devenir le protecteur et l’hôte bienveillant de tous les invités, de ceux qui servent dans sa maison, de ses proches, et aussi de ceux qui cherchent refuge. L’idéal moral enseigné ici est une hospitalité jointe à la responsabilité : accueillir autrui avec honneur et garantir sa sécurité lorsqu’il dépend de vous.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold dharma by protecting and warmly receiving those who depend on one’s care—guests, household workers, one’s own kin, and especially people seeking refuge. Hospitality is not merely courtesy; it includes guardianship and responsibility.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct. Here he states a normative rule for the satpuruṣa (good person): to be a protector and giver of welcome to guests, dependents, relatives, and refuge-seekers.