Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
ततो<श्वशिरसं दृष्टवा तं देवममितौजसम् | लोककर्ता प्रभुर्ब्रद्या लोकानां हितकाम्यया
tato ’śvaśirasaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ devam amitaujasam | lokakartā prabhur brahmā lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā ||
そのとき、馬の頭を戴く無量の威力をもつ神を見て、諸世界の創造主にして主宰たるブラフマーは、あらゆる生きとし生けるものの安寧を願い、頭を垂れて敬礼した。授福の神の御前に合掌して立ち、礼拝を捧げると、主は慈しみをもって彼を抱き寄せ、密かに言葉を告げた。
व्यास उवाच
Even the highest authority (Brahmā, the world-creator) models humility and devotion before a greater divine power, motivated not by self-interest but by lokānāṃ hita—concern for the welfare of all. Ethical leadership is shown as reverence, restraint, and acting for universal good.
Brahmā beholds the immensely powerful horse-headed deity (Hayagrīva), bows in reverence, and stands with folded hands. The Lord then receives him warmly and begins to communicate something confidentially, setting up the ensuing instruction or boon.