Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 39
अतिथीनां च सर्वेषां प्रेष्याणां स्वजनस्य च । तथा शरणकामानां गोप्ता स्यात् स्वागतप्रद:
atithīnāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ preṣyāṇāṃ svajanasya ca | tathā śaraṇakāmānāṃ goptā syāt svāgatapradaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Ang tunay at matuwid na tao ay dapat maging tagapagtanggol at magiliw na tagatanggap ng lahat ng panauhin, ng mga naglilingkod sa sambahayan, ng sariling kamag-anak, at gayundin ng mga humihingi ng kanlungan. Ang aral dito ay pagkamapagpatuloy na may pananagutan: tanggapin ang iba nang may dangal at tiyakin ang kanilang kaligtasan kapag sila’y umaasa sa iyo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold dharma by protecting and warmly receiving those who depend on one’s care—guests, household workers, one’s own kin, and especially people seeking refuge. Hospitality is not merely courtesy; it includes guardianship and responsibility.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct. Here he states a normative rule for the satpuruṣa (good person): to be a protector and giver of welcome to guests, dependents, relatives, and refuge-seekers.