Shloka 396
Indratīrtha–Ādityatīrtha: Balarāma’s Ritual Bathing, Dāna, and Sacred-Historical Recollections
क्षीणो5न्नसंचयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय । “तब परम सुन्दरी अरुन्धतीने उन ब्राह्मण देवतासे कहा--'विप्रवर! अन्नका संग्रह तो समाप्त हो गया। अब यहाँ ये बेर हैं, इन्हींको खाइये”
kṣīṇo 'nna-saṃcayo vipra badarāṇīha bhakṣaya |
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Si Arundhatī, ang babaeng sukdulang marangal sa kabutihan, ay nagsalita sa panauhing brāhmaṇa: “O kagalang-galang na brāhmaṇa, naubos na ang aming naimpong pagkain. Narito ang mga bungang jujube—mangyaring ito ang inyong kainin.” Ipinapakita ng sandaling ito ang dharma ng pagtanggap sa panauhin: kahit salat, iniaalay ang anumang mayroon nang may paggalang at taos-puso.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma (duty to honor a guest): when resources are depleted, one should still offer whatever is available, maintaining respect and goodwill rather than withholding out of fear of scarcity.
A Brahmin guest is to be fed, but the household’s stored food has run out. The speaker (as framed by Vaiśaṃpāyana) has the host offer simple wild fruit (badara) instead, showing practical compassion and steadfast hospitality.