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 ||
Então, ao contemplar aquele deus poderoso de cabeça de cavalo, Brahmā—o soberano criador dos mundos—curvou a cabeça em reverência, movido pelo desejo de assegurar o bem-estar de todos os seres. De pé diante da divindade que concede dádivas, com as palmas unidas, prestou homenagem; e o Senhor, atraindo-o para junto de si com afeto, falou-lhe em confidência.
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.