Shloka 8
सुरभि–इन्द्रसंवादः
Surabhi–Indra Dialogue as a Governance Exemplar
अध्यद्धाभि: क्रियाभिरवव विश्रान्तं मुनिसत्तमम् । प्रश्रयेणाब्रवीद् राजा धृतराष्ट्रोडम्बिकासुत:,पाद्य, अर्घ्य आदि उपचारोंद्वारा पूजित हो जब मुनिश्रेष्ठ मैत्रेय विश्राम कर चुके, तब अम्बिकानन्दन राजा धृतराष्ट्रने नम्रतापूर्वक पूछा--
athādbhābhiḥ kriyābhir eva viśrāntaṃ munisattamam | praśrayeṇābravīd rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro ’mbikāsutaḥ ||
When the foremost sage had been duly honored with the prescribed rites of hospitality and had taken rest, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā, addressed him with humility—seeking counsel in a spirit of reverence and proper conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in social conduct: a ruler should honor a sage with proper hospitality and then speak with humility. Reverence (praśraya) and correct ritual courtesy are presented as ethical prerequisites for seeking guidance.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that after the sage (Maitreya) has been received and honored with customary offerings and has rested, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra respectfully begins to question him.