Shloka 20
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
इमां कक्ित् परिक्रम्य पृथिवीं शैलभूषणाम् । असकृद ड्विपदां श्रेष्ठ: श्रेष्टस्य गृहमेधिन:
imāṃ kaścit parikramya pṛthivīṃ śailabhūṣaṇām | asakṛd dvipadāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhasya gṛhamedhinaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「山並みに飾られたこの大地を幾度も巡り歩いたのち、人中第一の成就者が、すぐれた家住者の家を訪れた。その家住者は定めの作法に従って彼を供養し、礼を尽くした。来訪の聖仙はそこで夜を安らかに過ごし、顔には満ち足りた光が差していた――ダルマにかなってもてなし、もてなされるときに生まれる静かな歓びがそこにあった。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of atithi-satkāra (honoring a guest): even a great ascetic finds peace and joy where a householder performs hospitality properly, implying that gṛhastha-dharma—when done according to rule and reverence—has profound spiritual value.
An accomplished sage, after traveling widely around the earth, arrives at the home of an exemplary householder. The householder worshipfully receives him according to prescribed norms, and the sage spends the night happily, visibly pleased.