Shloka 6
Viṣṇu-sahasranāma—Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Recitation (विष्णोर्नामसहस्रम्)
अहन्यहनि यो दद्यात् कपिलां द्वादशी: समा: । मासि मासि च सत्रेण यो यजेत सदा नर:
bhīṣma uvāca | ahany ahani yo dadyāt kapilāṁ dvādaśīḥ samāḥ | māsi māsi ca satreṇa yo yajeta sadā naraḥ |
Bhishma bersabda: “Sekalipun seseorang memberi sedekah, hari demi hari, seekor lembu berwarna perang kekuningan selama dua belas tahun penuh, dan sekalipun bulan demi bulan dia meneruskan sesi korban suci tanpa putus, namun pahala amalan itu tidak dapat menyamai buah kebajikan orang yang melalui khidmatnya membuat seorang tetamu benar-benar puas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That sincere service and hospitality which truly satisfies a guest yields a higher ethical and spiritual fruit than even immense, long-term charity (like daily cow-gifts for twelve years) or continuous sacrificial performances.
Bhishma is instructing on dharma and comparing the merit of grand ritual acts and donations with the merit of atithi-seva, emphasizing that lived compassion and respectful care for guests is superior.