Shloka 21
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
शिलवृत्तेगहं प्राप्त: स तेन विधिनार्चित: । उवास रजनी तत्र सुमुख: सुखभागृषि:
śilavṛtte gṛhaṁ prāptaḥ sa tena vidhinārcitaḥ | uvāsa rajanīṁ tatra sumukhaḥ sukhabhāg ṛṣiḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Parvenu à la demeure d’un maître de maison qui vivait de l’austère pratique consistant à se nourrir des grains glanés (śiloccavṛtti), l’homme accompli fut honoré par lui selon les rites prescrits. Le sage passa ensuite la nuit en grand confort ; son visage était serein et joyeux, signe du contentement qui naît lorsque l’hospitalité est observée conformément au dharma. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a householder of very austere means can fulfill dharma by receiving a guest with proper respect and prescribed hospitality; such righteous conduct brings peace and visible contentment to the guest.
A siddha-like sage arrives at the home of a householder who lives by gleaning grains; the householder honors him according to ritual propriety, and the sage stays the night there happily, his face showing satisfaction.