Shloka 9
Nāvyāśrama-nirmāṇa and Ṛśyaśṛṅga’s Distraction (नाव्याश्रमनिर्माणम्—ऋश्यशृङ्गस्य विचलनम्)
ऋष्यशुड्र उवाच ऋद्धया भवाउ्ज्योतिरिव प्रकाशते मन्ये चाहं त्वामभिवादनीयम् । पाद्यं वै ते सम्प्रदास्यामि कामाद् यथाधर्म फलमूलानि चैव,ऋष्यशृंग बोले--ब्रह्मम! आप अपनी समृद्धिसे ज्योतिकी भाँति प्रकाशित हो रहे हैं। मैं आपको अपने लिये वन्दनीय मानता हूँ और स्वेच्छासे धर्मके अनुसार आपके लिये पाद्य- अर्घ्य एवं फल-मूल अर्पण करता हूँ
ṛṣyaśṛṅga uvāca | ṛddhyā bhavān jyotir iva prakāśate manye cāhaṃ tvām abhivādanīyam | pādyaṃ vai te sampradāsyāmi kāmād yathā-dharma phala-mūlāni caiva ||
Rishyaśṛṅga said: “By your prosperity you shine like a light. I regard you as one worthy of reverent greeting. Therefore, of my own free will, I shall offer you the water for washing the feet, and—according to dharma—fruits and roots as well.”
ऋष्यशुड्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic hospitality: honoring a worthy guest with reverence and offering simple, appropriate gifts (pādyam and forest produce) given freely and without compulsion.
Rishyaśṛṅga addresses a respected visitor, praises his radiance born of prosperity, and announces that he will welcome him according to proper custom by offering foot-washing water and suitable food—fruits and roots.