Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 5
वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं
Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu
प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां वसिष्ठाद्राजसत्तम:।तपोग्निहोत्रशिष्येषु कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत।।1.52.4।।विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वनस्पतिगणे तथा ।सर्वत्र कुशलं चाह वसिष्ठो राजसत्तमम्।।1.52.5।।
pratigṛhya tu tāṃ pūjāṃ vasiṣṭhād rājasattamaḥ |
tapo’gnihotraśiṣyeṣu kuśalaṃ paryapṛcchata ||
viśvāmitro mahātejā vanaspatigaṇe tathā |
sarvatra kuśalaṃ cāha vasiṣṭho rājasattamam ||
Tinanggap ang paggalang at pag-aasikaso ni Vasiṣṭha, ang pinakadakila sa mga hari—ang maningning na si Viśvāmitra—ay nagtanong tungkol sa kalagayan ng mga tapasya, ng mga sagradong apoy (agnihotra), at ng mga alagad, gayundin ng mga punongkahoy sa paligid ng āśrama. Si Vasiṣṭha naman ay nagsabi sa pinakamahusay na hari na maayos at mabuti ang lahat sa bawat dako.
"O Sabala, come on quick! Listen to my words. I have decided to honour this royal saint and his army with excellent food. Make necessary arrangemets.
FAQs
Maryādā and mutual respect: even powerful figures uphold civility—asking after welfare and responding truthfully sustains social and spiritual order.
After formal hospitality, Viśvāmitra engages in courteous inquiry about Vasiṣṭha’s religious life and hermitage; Vasiṣṭha replies that all is well.
Viśvāmitra’s courtesy and Vasiṣṭha’s truthful, composed reciprocity—each honors the other’s role (king and sage).