Shloka 18
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
राजन् विद्ध्यतिथीन् प्राप्तानर्थिनो दूरमागतान् । तन्न: प्रयच्छ भद्रं ते यद्वयं कामयामहे ॥ १८ ॥
rājan viddhy atithīn prāptān arthino dūram āgatān tan naḥ prayaccha bhadraṁ te yad vayaṁ kāmayāmahe
ఓ రాజా, దూరం నుండి వచ్చిన యాచక అతిథులమని మమ్మల్ని తెలుసుకో. నీకు మంగళం కలగాలని కోరుతున్నాం; మేము కోరినదాన్ని మాకు ప్రసాదించు।
FAQs
This verse shows that a host—especially a king—should recognize arriving visitors as atithis and respond favorably, honoring the sacred duty of hospitality and granting appropriate requests.
Kṛṣṇa, along with Bhīma and Arjuna, approached Jarāsandha in disguise to request a duel; by invoking atithi-dharma and royal etiquette, He compelled the king to accept their petition.
Treat sincere visitors respectfully, listen to their needs without arrogance, and offer what is appropriate within your capacity—seeing hospitality as a spiritual practice, not mere social formality.