Shloka 16
Āśramamaṇḍala-darśana and Ṛṣi-samāgama
Observation of the Hermitage Precinct and the Assembly of Sages
ये च पक्षधरा धर्मे सद्वृत्तरुचयश्च ये । यान् दृष्टवा हीयते पापं तेभ्य: कार्या नमस्क्रिया
ye ca pakṣadharā dharme sadvṛttarucayaś ca ye | yān dṛṣṭvā hīyate pāpaṁ tebhyaḥ kāryā namaskriyā ||
At yaong mga kumakampi sa dharma, nalulugod sa pagsasabuhay ng mabuting asal, at na sa mismong pagtanaw sa kanila ay nababawasan ang kasalanan—sa gayong mga dakilang kaluluwa, nararapat kang magbigay-galang at magpatirapa sa paggalang.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should honor and bow to those who stand with dharma and cherish virtuous conduct, because association with such people—even merely seeing them—has a purifying effect that reduces moral taint (pāpa).
Āstīka is giving an instruction about proper conduct: he points out the kind of noble persons—supporters of dharma and lovers of good behavior—who deserve respectful salutation, emphasizing their spiritually purifying presence.