Shloka 35
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
ते त॑ दृष्टवातिर्थि प्राप्तं प्रहष्टमनसो 5भन् । तेडभिवाद्य सुखप्रश्न॑ पृष्टया तमतिर्थिं तदा,वे भोजनके लिये अभी बैठे ही थे कि कोई ब्राह्मण अतिथि उनके यहाँ आ पहुँचा। उस अतिथिको आया देख वे मन-ही-मन बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। उस अतिथिको प्रणाम करके उन्होंने उससे कुशल-मंगल पूछा
te taṁ dṛṣṭvā atithiṁ prāptaṁ prahṛṣṭa-manaso 'bhavan | te 'bhivādya sukha-praśnaṁ pṛṣṭvā tam atithiṁ tadā ||
Seeing that a guest had arrived, they became inwardly delighted. They respectfully greeted him, inquired after his well-being, and thus received the guest in accordance with the duties of hospitality—placing dharma before their own meal and comfort.
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma: an unexpected guest is to be welcomed with joy, respect, and inquiry into well-being, even if one is about to eat—placing righteous conduct and generosity above personal convenience.
Nakula describes how, just as they were about to take their meal, a guest arrived. They felt pleased, greeted him respectfully, and asked after his welfare, beginning the proper reception of the visitor.