Shloka 443
Nāga-āyatana-darśana-pratīkṣā — The Brāhmaṇa’s Request and Waiting on the Gomatī
आज्याहुतिमहाज्वालैर्यज्ञवाटो यथाग्निभि: । नरेश्वर! अपने नित्यकर्म तथा नारदजीका आतिथ्य-सत्कार करके वे दोनों ऋषि भी कुशासनपर बैठ गये। वहाँ उन तीनोंके बैठ जानेपर वह प्रदेश घीकी आहुतिसे प्रज्वलित विशाल लपटोंवाले तीन अग्नियोंसे प्रकाशित यज्ञमण्डपकी भाँति सुशोभित होने लगा
ājya-āhuti-mahā-jvālair yajña-vāṭo yathā agnibhiḥ | nareśvara! apane nitya-karma tathā nāradajī-kā ātithya-satkāra karke ve donoṃ ṛṣi bhī kuśāsana-par baiṭh gaye | vahāṃ un tīnoṃ-ke baiṭh jāne-par vah pradeśa ghī-kī āhuti-se prajvalit viśāl lapaṭoṃ-vāle tīn agniyoṃ-se prakāśit yajña-maṇḍapa-kī bhānti suśobhita hone lagā |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O hari, kung paanong nagliliwanag ang bakuran ng yajña kapag sumisiklab ang mga apoy dahil sa mga alay na ghee, gayon din nagningning ang pook na iyon. Matapos gampanan ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na ritwal at parangalan si Nārada sa nararapat na pagtanggap sa panauhin, ang dalawang rishi ay naupo rin sa mga banig na damong kuśa. Nang makaupo na ang tatlo, ang buong paligid ay naging maringal—wari’y isang bulwagan ng yajña na naliliwanagan ng tatlong apoy na may malalaking liyab na pinakakain ng mga alay na ghee.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through disciplined daily observances (nitya-karma) and proper hospitality (ātithya) to a revered guest. Ethical order is shown as inseparable from ritual order: honoring guests and maintaining regular duties makes a place spiritually radiant, like a well-tended sacrificial hall.
After completing their daily rites and respectfully receiving Nārada, two sages sit on kuśa-grass mats along with him. With all three seated, the scene is poetically compared to a yajña-pavilion lit by three blazing fires fed with ghee, emphasizing sanctity and auspiciousness.