Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 188
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
मित्रेषु वत्सलश्षास्मि त्वद्धक्तश्न विशेषत: । तस्मादेवं पुनः साधो मय्याचरितुमरहसि
mitreṣu vatsalaś cāsmi tvadbhaktaś ca viśeṣataḥ | tasmād evaṃ punaḥ sādho mayy ācaritum arhasi ||
“Aku penyayang kepada sahabat-sahabatku, dan terutama aku telah menjadi bhaktamu. Karena itu, wahai orang baik, perlakukanlah aku kembali dengan cara yang sama—dekatlah sebagai sahabat dan temani aku.”
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical reciprocity: gratitude and affection deepen into devotion, and such bonds call for continued friendly conduct—maintaining companionship and goodwill as a form of dharmic behavior.
Lomaśa speaks to another person, declaring his special devotion and friendliness, and requests that the other continue to treat him with the same warm, companionable intimacy as before.