Shloka 6
Janamejaya’s Appeal for Pacification and Śaunaka’s Counsel on Humility (जनमेजय-शौनक संवादः)
शरणागतस्य कर्तव्यमातिथ्यं हि प्रयत्नत: । पज्चयज्ञप्रवृत्तेन गृहस्थेन विशेषत:,“यों तो घरपर आये हुए अतिथिका सभीको यत्नपूर्वक आदर-सत्कार करना चाहिये; परंतु पंचयज्ञके अधिकारी गृहस्थका यह प्रधान धर्म है
śaraṇāgatasya kartavyam ātithyaṃ hi prayatnataḥ | pañcayajñapravṛttena gṛhasthena viśeṣataḥ ||
“ผู้มาขอที่พึ่งพึงได้รับการต้อนรับด้วยความอุตสาหะ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งสำหรับคฤหัสถ์ผู้ประกอบปัญจยัญญะ การบำรุงแขกผู้มาเยือนเป็นธรรมอันสำคัญยิ่ง”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Hospitality to one who comes seeking refuge is a binding duty, and for householders it is paramount—especially for those observing the five daily sacrificial obligations—because dharma is upheld through protection, respectful reception, and generous care of the guest.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues his ethical teaching, emphasizing the householder’s responsibility to honour and care for a refuge-seeker/guest as a central practice of righteous living.