Shloka 14
अन्तर्वन-विद्यारण्योपमा
The Allegory of the Inner Forest of Knowledge
आतिथयं प्रतिगृह्नन्ति तत्र तत्र महर्षय: । अचितेषु प्रलीनेषु तेष्वन्यद् रोचते वनम्
ātithyaṃ pratigṛhṇanti tatra tatra maharṣayaḥ | aciteṣu pralīneṣu teṣv anyad rocata vanaṃ ||
Ang mga dakilang ṛṣi ay lumilitaw dito at doon, tinatanggap ang pag-aasikaso sa panauhin at ang paggalang na inihahandog sa sakripisyong iyon. Nang ang mga pantas na di-nakikita ay muling maglaho at magbalik sa di-maaninag, ang gubat ay sumilang sa ibang anyo, kagila-gilalas—na wari’y nagbubunyag ng mas maselang liwanag na tulad ng brahman.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Hospitality to guests—especially to the wise and holy—should be offered without attachment to recognition. When service is rendered selflessly, the sacred dimension of the world becomes perceptible; what seemed ordinary (the forest) reveals a higher radiance.
A Brahmin describes how great seers arrive in various places and accept hospitality. After receiving it, they withdraw or become unperceived, and then the forest appears transformed—shining in a distinct, wondrous way, suggesting their subtle presence and the sanctifying effect of the rite.