Shloka 124
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
सो&गञ्जलिप्रग्रहो भूत्वा चतुर्वक्त्रो निरुक्तग: | उवाच वचन रुद्रं लोकानामस्तु वै शिवम्
so 'ñjalipragraho bhūtvā caturvaktro niruktagaḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ rudraṃ lokānām astu vai śivam ||
Les mains jointes en salut respectueux, il se manifesta à quatre visages et, ayant pris la forme prescrite, s’adressa à Rudra par des paroles vouées au bien de tous les êtres : «Qu’il y ait, en vérité, l’auspice (śiva) pour les mondes.»
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights devotional humility and the ethical ideal of seeking universal welfare: even in personal encounter with a deity, the prayer is directed toward auspiciousness for all worlds, not merely private gain.
Arjuna (as the speaker) describes a moment of reverence: with folded hands he assumes a four-faced form and then addresses Rudra (Śiva), uttering a benediction for the well-being and auspiciousness of all beings.