Shloka 29
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
ततः प्राह द्विजश्रेष्ठान विरूपाक्षो महाबल: । गृह्नीत रत्नान्येतानि यथोत्साहं यथेष्टत:
tataḥ prāha dvijaśreṣṭhān virūpākṣo mahābalaḥ | gṛhṇīta ratnāny etāni yathotsāhaṃ yatheṣṭataḥ || tatas tam adhyagād rājan rājadharmā khagottamaḥ | svāgatenābhinandan gautamaṃ mitravatsalaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“随后，大力的毗卢波叉对最尊贵的两生者说道：‘这些宝珠，你们可随力而取，随心所欲。’其后，国王啊，名为罗阇达摩的鸟中之最、重情于友者，来到乔多摩近前，以应有的礼数迎接他，殷勤致敬。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two complementary duties: (1) dāna—giving valuables to worthy recipients without coercion, allowing them to take according to need and capacity; and (2) atithi-satkāra—welcoming and honoring a guest with friendliness and proper reception. Both are presented as practical expressions of dharma.
Virūpākṣa, described as very powerful, tells eminent Brahmins to accept jewels as they wish. Then Rājadharmā, the foremost among birds and a loyal friend, comes to the sage Gautama and greets him respectfully, offering a warm welcome.