Mahabharata — Svargarohana Parva, Shloka 52
वस्त्र चैव विचित्र च गन्धं चैव विशेषत: । देववत् पूजयेत् तं तु विष्णुलोकमवाप्नुयात्
vastraṃ caiva vicitraṃ ca gandhaṃ caiva viśeṣataḥ | devavat pūjayet taṃ tu viṣṇulokam avāpnuyāt ||
Dapat siyang maghandog ng mariringal at makukulay na kasuotan, at lalo na ng mga pabango, at sambahin ang tagapagbigkas na iyon na gaya ng pagsamba sa isang diyos. Ang tagapakinig na gumagawa nito ay makaaabot sa daigdig ni Viṣṇu—na nagpapakita na ang paggalang sa banal na aral at sa tagapagdala nito ay isang marangal na dharma na umaakay sa mapalad na hantungan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that honoring the transmitter of sacred discourse—by offerings such as garments and fragrance and by treating him with deity-like reverence—is a form of dharma that yields spiritual merit and an exalted posthumous destination (Viṣṇu’s realm).
Vaiśampāyana states a prescriptive rule about how a listener should honor the reciter of the Mahābhārata (or sacred narration): by offering fine clothing and fragrant substances and worshipping him respectfully, with the promised fruit of attaining Viṣṇuloka.