Shloka 39
अतिथीनां च सर्वेषां प्रेष्याणां स्वजनस्य च । तथा शरणकामानां गोप्ता स्यात् स्वागतप्रद:
atithīnāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ preṣyāṇāṃ svajanasya ca | tathā śaraṇakāmānāṃ goptā syāt svāgatapradaḥ ||
Bhishma bersabda: “Seorang insan luhur hendaknya menjadi pelindung dan penyambut yang mulia bagi semua tamu, bagi para pelayan rumah tangga, bagi sanak keluarga, dan juga bagi siapa pun yang mencari perlindungan. Dialah yang disebut tegak dalam dharma: yang menjaga mereka yang bersandar kepadanya.”
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.