Shloka 85
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
घृतं ममार्चिषो लोके जन्तूनां प्राणधारणम् । घृतार्चिरहमव्यग्रैवेंदज्ै: परिकीर्तित:
ghṛtaṃ mamārciṣo loke jantūnāṃ prāṇadhāraṇam | ghṛtārciḥ aham avyagrair vedajñaiḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||
ଏହି ଲୋକରେ ଘୃତ ପ୍ରାଣୀମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାଣଧାରଣର ପୋଷଣ, କାରଣ ସେହି ଘୃତ ମୋର ଜ୍ୱାଳାକୁ ପ୍ରଜ୍ୱଲିତ କରେ। ତେଣୁ ଅବ୍ୟଗ୍ର, ଶାନ୍ତଚିତ୍ତ ବେଦଜ୍ଞ ମୁନିମାନେ ମୋତେ ‘ଘୃତାର୍ଚି’—ଘୃତପୋଷିତ ତେଜସ୍ୱୀ—ବୋଲି କୀର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that offerings like ghee are not merely ceremonial: they symbolize and enact the sustaining of life (prāṇa) and the maintenance of dharma/ṛta through composed, knowledgeable practice. Hence Agni is praised as “Ghṛtārci,” whose flame is nourished by ghee.
A divine voice identifies itself through an epithet: explaining that ghee kindles its flame and supports beings’ vitality, it states that Veda-knowing sages therefore call it “Ghṛtārci.” This functions as self-description and doctrinal clarification within the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse.