Shloka 7
सुरभि–इन्द्रसंवादः
Surabhi–Indra Dialogue as a Governance Exemplar
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक््त्वा ययौ व्यासो मैत्रेय: प्रत्यदृश्यत । पूजया प्रतिजग्राह सपुत्रस्तं नराधिप:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! ऐसा कहकर व्यासजी चले गये और मैत्रेयजी आते हुए दिखायी दिये। राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने पुत्रसहित उनकी अगवानी की और स्वागत- सत्कारके साथ उन्हें अपनाया
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam uktvā yayau vyāso maitreyaḥ pratyadṛśyata | pūjayā pratijagrāha saputras taṃ narādhipaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus, Vyāsa departed. Then Maitreya came into view. The king, the lord of men, together with his sons, went forth to receive him and welcomed him with due honor—upholding the ethic that a guest and a sage are to be met with reverence and proper hospitality.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma and brahmaṇa/sage-respect: a ruler should receive a visiting sage with honor and proper hospitality, demonstrating humility and adherence to dharma.
After Vyāsa finishes speaking and leaves, the sage Maitreya appears. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by his sons, goes out to greet and formally welcome him.