Shloka 24
जनक–ब्राह्मणसंवादः
Viṣaya, Mamatva, and Self-Mastery
देवेभ्यश्न पितृभ्यश्न भूतेभ्योडतिथिभि: सह । इत्यर्थ सर्व एवेति समारम्भा भवन्ति वै,मेरे समस्त कार्योंका आरम्भ देवता, पितर, भूत और अतिथियोंके निमित्त होता है
devebhyaś ca pitṛbhyaś ca bhūtebhyo ’tithibhiḥ saha | ity arthaḥ sarva eveti samārambhā bhavanti vai ||
ジャナカ王は言った。「わがあらゆる企ては、供養の心をもって始まる——神々と祖霊に捧げ、また生きとし生けるものと来客にも心を配る。かくして、わが始める一切の行いは、すべての者の安寧と敬いのためにあるのだ。」
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Janaka teaches that ethical action begins with an attitude of offering and responsibility: one’s work should be initiated with remembrance of obligations to the gods, ancestors, all beings, and guests—so that personal activity becomes socially and spiritually accountable.
In a didactic exchange within the Ashvamedhika Parva, King Janaka speaks about the proper orientation of action, explaining that his undertakings are begun for the sake of honoring devas, pitṛs, living beings, and guests—framing kingship and household life as service rather than self-centered pursuit.