Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 5
वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं
Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu
प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां वसिष्ठाद्राजसत्तम:।तपोग्निहोत्रशिष्येषु कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत।।1.52.4।।विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वनस्पतिगणे तथा ।सर्वत्र कुशलं चाह वसिष्ठो राजसत्तमम्।।1.52.5।।
pratigṛhya tu tāṃ pūjāṃ vasiṣṭhād rājasattamaḥ |
tapo’gnihotraśiṣyeṣu kuśalaṃ paryapṛcchata ||
viśvāmitro mahātejā vanaspatigaṇe tathā |
sarvatra kuśalaṃ cāha vasiṣṭho rājasattamam ||
ବସିଷ୍ଠଙ୍କ ପୂଜା ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି ମହାତେଜସ୍ୱୀ ବିଶ୍ୱାମିତ୍ର—ରାଜସତ୍ତମ—ବସିଷ୍ଠଙ୍କ ତପସ୍ୟା, ଅଗ୍ନିହୋତ୍ର ଓ ଶିଷ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ କୁଶଳ ପଚାରିଲେ; ଆଶ୍ରମର ଵନସ୍ପତିଗଣ ବିଷୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜିଜ୍ଞାସା କଲେ। ବସିଷ୍ଠ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାଜସତ୍ତମଙ୍କୁ ସର୍ବତ୍ର କୁଶଳ ଅଛି ବୋଲି କହିଲେ।
"O Sabala, come on quick! Listen to my words. I have decided to honour this royal saint and his army with excellent food. Make necessary arrangemets.
FAQs
Maryādā and mutual respect: even powerful figures uphold civility—asking after welfare and responding truthfully sustains social and spiritual order.
After formal hospitality, Viśvāmitra engages in courteous inquiry about Vasiṣṭha’s religious life and hermitage; Vasiṣṭha replies that all is well.
Viśvāmitra’s courtesy and Vasiṣṭha’s truthful, composed reciprocity—each honors the other’s role (king and sage).