Sārasvata–Dadhīca Upākhyāna at Sarasvatī Tīrtha
Balarāma’s Pilgrimage Context
गौरवं परमं चक्रे प्रीतिं च विपुलां तथा । देवलस्तु यथाशक्ति पूजयामास भारत
gauravaṁ paramaṁ cakre prītiṁ ca vipulāṁ tathā | devalas tu yathāśakti pūjayāmāsa bhārata ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—स परमं गौरवं चक्रे प्रीतिं च विपुलां तथा। देवलस्तु यथाशक्ति पूजयामास, भारत।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even in difficult times, dharma is upheld through respectful conduct: one should offer honor and goodwill, and reciprocate appropriately within one’s means (yathāśakti), without neglecting gratitude or propriety.
The narrator reports an exchange of courtesies: one party shows the highest respect and great affection, and Devala responds by honoring him as much as he is able, indicating a formal, ethically grounded interaction.