Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 5
वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं
Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu
प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां वसिष्ठाद्राजसत्तम:।तपोग्निहोत्रशिष्येषु कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत।।1.52.4।।विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वनस्पतिगणे तथा ।सर्वत्र कुशलं चाह वसिष्ठो राजसत्तमम्।।1.52.5।।
pratigṛhya tu tāṃ pūjāṃ vasiṣṭhād rājasattamaḥ |
tapo’gnihotraśiṣyeṣu kuśalaṃ paryapṛcchata ||
viśvāmitro mahātejā vanaspatigaṇe tathā |
sarvatra kuśalaṃ cāha vasiṣṭho rājasattamam ||
Après avoir reçu l’hospitalité de Vasiṣṭha, le plus éminent des rois, le rayonnant Viśvāmitra, s’enquit du bon état de ses austérités, de ses feux sacrés (agnihotra) et de ses disciples, ainsi que du bosquet d’arbres autour de l’āśrama. Vasiṣṭha, à son tour, assura au meilleur des rois que tout allait bien en tout lieu.
"O Sabala, come on quick! Listen to my words. I have decided to honour this royal saint and his army with excellent food. Make necessary arrangemets.
FAQs
Maryādā and mutual respect: even powerful figures uphold civility—asking after welfare and responding truthfully sustains social and spiritual order.
After formal hospitality, Viśvāmitra engages in courteous inquiry about Vasiṣṭha’s religious life and hermitage; Vasiṣṭha replies that all is well.
Viśvāmitra’s courtesy and Vasiṣṭha’s truthful, composed reciprocity—each honors the other’s role (king and sage).