Shloka 44
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
एतद् व्रतं मम सदा हृदि सम्परिवर्तते । गृहस्थानां च सुश्रोणि नातिथेर्विद्यते परम्
etad vrataṁ mama sadā hṛdi samparivartate | gṛhasthānāṁ ca suśroṇi nātither vidyate param ||
ସୁଶ୍ରୋଣି! ଏହି ବ୍ରତ ମୋ ହୃଦୟରେ ସଦା ପରିଭ୍ରମଣ କରେ—ଗୃହସ୍ଥମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଅତିଥି-ସେବାଠାରୁ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ଧର୍ମ ନାହିଁ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
For a householder, the foremost ethical and religious obligation is atithi-sevā—welcoming, honoring, and caring for a guest. Bhīṣma presents this as a personal vow that continually guides his conduct.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma is speaking and addresses a woman respectfully as “suśroṇī,” emphasizing that the duty of hospitality is central to the householder’s way of life.