Shloka 20
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
इमां कक्ित् परिक्रम्य पृथिवीं शैलभूषणाम् । असकृद ड्विपदां श्रेष्ठ: श्रेष्टस्य गृहमेधिन:
imāṃ kaścit parikramya pṛthivīṃ śailabhūṣaṇām | asakṛd dvipadāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhasya gṛhamedhinaḥ ||
بھیشم نے کہا—پہاڑی سلسلوں سے آراستہ اس زمین کی بار بار پرِکرما کر کے، انسانوں میں برتر ایک سِدھ پُرش شِلوچّھ وِرتّی سے گزر بسر کرنے والے ایک بہترین گِرہستھ کے گھر پہنچا۔ اس گِرہستھ نے رسم و قاعدے کے مطابق اس کی خاطر تواضع کی۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of atithi-satkāra (honoring a guest): even a great ascetic finds peace and joy where a householder performs hospitality properly, implying that gṛhastha-dharma—when done according to rule and reverence—has profound spiritual value.
An accomplished sage, after traveling widely around the earth, arrives at the home of an exemplary householder. The householder worshipfully receives him according to prescribed norms, and the sage spends the night happily, visibly pleased.