Shloka 29
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
ततः प्राह द्विजश्रेष्ठान विरूपाक्षो महाबल: । गृह्नीत रत्नान्येतानि यथोत्साहं यथेष्टत:
tataḥ prāha dvijaśreṣṭhān virūpākṣo mahābalaḥ | gṛhṇīta ratnāny etāni yathotsāhaṃ yatheṣṭataḥ || tatas tam adhyagād rājan rājadharmā khagottamaḥ | svāgatenābhinandan gautamaṃ mitravatsalaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Pagkaraan nito, nagsalita ang makapangyarihang si Virūpākṣa sa mga pinakadakila sa mga dalawang-ulit-na-isinilang: ‘Tanggapin ninyo ang mga hiyas na ito, ayon sa inyong kakayahan at ayon sa inyong nais.’ Pagkatapos, O hari, si Rājadharmā—pinakamainam sa mga ibon at tapat sa mga kaibigan—ay lumapit kay Gautama at bumati sa kanya nang may nararapat na pagtanggap, pinarangalan siya nang buong init ng loob.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two complementary duties: (1) dāna—giving valuables to worthy recipients without coercion, allowing them to take according to need and capacity; and (2) atithi-satkāra—welcoming and honoring a guest with friendliness and proper reception. Both are presented as practical expressions of dharma.
Virūpākṣa, described as very powerful, tells eminent Brahmins to accept jewels as they wish. Then Rājadharmā, the foremost among birds and a loyal friend, comes to the sage Gautama and greets him respectfully, offering a warm welcome.