Shloka 85
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
घृतं ममार्चिषो लोके जन्तूनां प्राणधारणम् । घृतार्चिरहमव्यग्रैवेंदज्ै: परिकीर्तित:
ghṛtaṃ mamārciṣo loke jantūnāṃ prāṇadhāraṇam | ghṛtārciḥ aham avyagrair vedajñaiḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||
Sa daigdig na ito, ang ghee ay siyang nagpapalakas sa hininga ng buhay ng mga nilalang, sapagkat pinasisiklab nito ang aking mga liyab. Kaya’t ang mga pantas na tahimik ang loob at nakaaalam ng Veda ay nagpupuri sa akin bilang “Ghṛtārci”—ang may ningning na pinakakain ng ghee.
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that offerings like ghee are not merely ceremonial: they symbolize and enact the sustaining of life (prāṇa) and the maintenance of dharma/ṛta through composed, knowledgeable practice. Hence Agni is praised as “Ghṛtārci,” whose flame is nourished by ghee.
A divine voice identifies itself through an epithet: explaining that ghee kindles its flame and supports beings’ vitality, it states that Veda-knowing sages therefore call it “Ghṛtārci.” This functions as self-description and doctrinal clarification within the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse.