Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27
Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)
श्रान्तानप्यथ तान् दूराज्जनक: स्वगृहागतान् । आनीतेष्वासनाग्र्येषु सुखासीनान् महामना: ॥ २७ ॥ प्रवृद्धभक्त्या उद्धर्षहृदयास्राविलेक्षण: । नत्वा तदङ्घ्रीन् प्रक्षाल्य तदपो लोकपावनी: ॥ २८ ॥ सकुटुम्बो वहन् मूर्ध्ना पूजयां चक्र ईश्वरान् । गन्धमाल्याम्बराकल्पधूपदीपार्घ्यगोवृषै: ॥ २९ ॥
śrāntān apy atha tān dūrāj janakaḥ sva-gṛhāgatān ānīteṣv āsanāgryeṣu sukhāsīnān mahā-manāḥ
Nang makita ni Haring Bahulāśva, mula sa angkan ni Janaka, na papalapit mula sa malayo si Panginoong Śrī Kṛṣṇa kasama ang mga pantas na bahagyang napagod sa paglalakbay, agad siyang nagpagawa ng mga upuang pangparangal para sa kanila. Nang sila’y nakaupo nang maginhawa, ang marunong na hari—puspos ang puso ng galak at malabo ang mga mata sa luha—ay yumukod, hinugasan ang kanilang mga paa sa masidhing debosyon, at ang tubig na iyon na nakapaglilinis ng sanlibutan ay winisik sa kanyang ulo at sa ulo ng kanyang pamilya. Pagkaraan, sinamba niya ang mga dakilang panginoong iyon sa pag-aalay ng mabangong sandalwood, mga garland ng bulaklak, maringal na kasuotan at palamuti, insenso, mga ilawan, arghya, at mga baka at toro.
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “Bahulāśva, the King of Videha, was very intelligent and was a perfect gentleman. He was astonished that so many great sages, along with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, were personally present in his home. He knew perfectly well that conditioned souls engaged in worldly affairs cannot be one-hundred-percent pure whereas the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees are always transcendental to worldly contamination. Therefore, when he found that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and all the great sages were at his home, he was astonished, and he began to thank Lord Krsna for His causeless mercy.”
FAQs
This verse shows King Janaka receiving honored visitors with care—bringing excellent seats and ensuring their comfort—illustrating atithi-seva as practical dharma.
Because he recognized their exalted status and, as a noble host, expressed reverence through respectful reception and comfortable seating.
Welcome guests with respect, provide what they need (rest, seat, water/food), and offer genuine attention—seeing service as a spiritual practice.