Shloka 17
Ṛśyaśṛṅga’s Luring, Rainfall at Aṅga, and Reconciliation with Vibhāṇḍaka (ऋश्यशृङ्गोपाख्यानम्)
अवाप्य सत्कारमतीव तेभ्य: प्रोवाच कस्य प्रथिता: स्थ गोपा: । ऊचुस्ततस्ते< भ्युपगम्य सर्वे धनं तवेदं विहितं सुतस्य
avāpya satkāram atīva tebhyaḥ provāca kasya prathitāḥ stha gopāḥ | ūcus tatas tebhya upagamya sarve dhanaṁ tavedaṁ vihitaṁ sutasya ||
Having received great honor from them, Vibhaṇḍaka asked, “To whom do you belong—whose cowherds are you, famed as you are?” Then all of them approached him and replied, “This wealth is yours; it has been set aside for your son.” The scene underscores the social ethic of respectful reception and the duty of a community to provide rightful support for a child through the father, especially when a son’s welfare is at stake.
विभाण्डक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through satkāra (respectful hospitality) and communal responsibility: those who honor a worthy person also recognize obligations connected to family welfare, here by setting aside wealth for the benefit of the son through the father.
After being warmly received, Vibhaṇḍaka questions the identity and affiliation of the renowned cowherds. They approach and inform him that the wealth they have brought is meant for him, specifically arranged for his son.