Shloka 6
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
अहन्यहनि यो दद्यात् कपिलां द्वादशी: समा: । मासि मासि च सत्रेण यो यजेत सदा नर:
bhīṣma uvāca | ahany ahani yo dadyāt kapilāṁ dvādaśīḥ samāḥ | māsi māsi ca satreṇa yo yajeta sadā naraḥ |
Bhishma berkata: Sekalipun seseorang selama dua belas tahun penuh setiap hari menyedekahkan seekor sapi kapilā, dan bulan demi bulan terus-menerus menyelenggarakan satra-yajña, tetap saja pahala kebajikan itu tidak sebanding dengan pahala orang yang melalui pelayanannya membuat tamu sungguh puas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That sincere service and hospitality which truly satisfies a guest yields a higher ethical and spiritual fruit than even immense, long-term charity (like daily cow-gifts for twelve years) or continuous sacrificial performances.
Bhishma is instructing on dharma and comparing the merit of grand ritual acts and donations with the merit of atithi-seva, emphasizing that lived compassion and respectful care for guests is superior.