Shloka 29
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
ततः प्राह द्विजश्रेष्ठान विरूपाक्षो महाबल: । गृह्नीत रत्नान्येतानि यथोत्साहं यथेष्टत:
tataḥ prāha dvijaśreṣṭhān virūpākṣo mahābalaḥ | gṛhṇīta ratnāny etāni yathotsāhaṃ yatheṣṭataḥ || tatas tam adhyagād rājan rājadharmā khagottamaḥ | svāgatenābhinandan gautamaṃ mitravatsalaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「そのとき、強大なるヴィルーパークシャは、最上の両生者（バラモン）たちに告げた。『これらの宝玉を、各々の力に応じ、望むままに受け取れ。』その後、王よ、鳥の中の最勝にして友を愛するラージャダルマがゴータマのもとへ近づき、しかるべきもてなしをもって迎え、温かく敬意を表した。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two complementary duties: (1) dāna—giving valuables to worthy recipients without coercion, allowing them to take according to need and capacity; and (2) atithi-satkāra—welcoming and honoring a guest with friendliness and proper reception. Both are presented as practical expressions of dharma.
Virūpākṣa, described as very powerful, tells eminent Brahmins to accept jewels as they wish. Then Rājadharmā, the foremost among birds and a loyal friend, comes to the sage Gautama and greets him respectfully, offering a warm welcome.