Shloka 14
अन्तर्वन-विद्यारण्योपमा
The Allegory of the Inner Forest of Knowledge
आतिथयं प्रतिगृह्नन्ति तत्र तत्र महर्षय: । अचितेषु प्रलीनेषु तेष्वन्यद् रोचते वनम्
ātithyaṃ pratigṛhṇanti tatra tatra maharṣayaḥ | aciteṣu pralīneṣu teṣv anyad rocata vanaṃ ||
Великие риши, являясь то здесь, то там, принимают оказанное гостеприимство и принимают почитание. Когда же эти неуловимые мудрецы вновь сливаются с невидимостью, лес начинает сиять иным, дивным обликом — словно открывая более тонкое, брахманоподобное свечение.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Hospitality to guests—especially to the wise and holy—should be offered without attachment to recognition. When service is rendered selflessly, the sacred dimension of the world becomes perceptible; what seemed ordinary (the forest) reveals a higher radiance.
A Brahmin describes how great seers arrive in various places and accept hospitality. After receiving it, they withdraw or become unperceived, and then the forest appears transformed—shining in a distinct, wondrous way, suggesting their subtle presence and the sanctifying effect of the rite.