Shloka 26
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
प्रह्माद उवाच उदकं मधुपर्क वाप्यानयन्तु सुधन्वने । ब्रह्मन्न भ्यर्चनीयो 5सि श्वेता गौ: पीवरी कृता
Prahlāda uvāca | udakaṃ madhuparkaṃ vāpy ānayantu sudhanvane | brahmann abhyarcanīyo ’si śvetā gauḥ pīvarī kṛtā ||
Прахлада сказал: «Принесите воды и также мадхупарку — медовую смесь — для Судханвана». Затем он сказал Судханвану: «О брахман, ты достоин почитания как мой гость; я приготовил упитанную, крепкую белую корову, чтобы даровать её по обычаю гостеприимства».
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores atithi-dharma: an honored guest—especially a brāhmaṇa—should be received with respect and proper offerings (water, madhuparka) and generosity (a prepared gift such as a cow). Ethical conduct is shown through reverence, readiness to give, and careful observance of hospitality rites.
Prahlāda instructs attendants to bring the customary hospitality items for Sudhanvan and then addresses him respectfully as a brāhmaṇa guest, stating that a well-fed white cow has been kept ready as a gift—indicating formal reception and honor.