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His wife, ensnared in the hunter's cage, heard him wailing thus for her. And she felt greatly fulfilled. If her husband was so intensely pleased with her, there was nothing more that she wanted in the world. Forgetting her own woes, she could think only of protecting the dharma of her husband. And she advised him that he had a guest in the house, and it was his primary duty to look after him. He should therefore stop worrying about her and prepare to offer proper hospitality to the hunter. She even advised her husband that he had been blessed with sons and daughters, he had already fulfilled himself, and therefore he need not be constrained to protect his own body while arranging the necessary hospitality for the guest.

His wife, ensnared in the hunter's cage, heard him wailing thus for her. And she felt greatly fulfilled. If her husband was so intensely pleased with her, there was nothing more that she wanted in the world. Forgetting her own woes, she could think only of protecting the dharma of her husband. And she advised him that he had a guest in the house, and it was his primary duty to look after him. He should therefore stop worrying about her and prepare to offer proper hospitality to the hunter. She even advised her husband that he had been blessed with sons and daughters, he had already fulfilled himself, and therefore he need not be constrained to protect his own body while arranging the necessary hospitality for the guest.

The pigeon almost cried with pleasure on listening to the sage advice of his wife. And immediately, he offered himself and his house at the  service of that cruel guest. He graciously welcomed the hunter, asked him to feel free as if he were in his own house, and lovingly enquired after  his needs. The pigeon also reassured him that he, the hunter, had come to his house and even an enemy coming thus ought to be offered proper  welcome. After all, a tree does not withdraw its shade from the one who comes to it with the intention of cutting it down:  <blockquote>अरावप्युचितं कार्यमातिथ्यं गृहमागते। छेत्तुमप्यागते छायां नोपसंहरते द्रुमः॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.146.5)</blockquote><blockquote>''arāvapyucitaṁ kāryamātithyaṁ gr̥hamāgate। chettumapyāgate chāyāṁ nopasaṁharate drumaḥ॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.146.5)''</blockquote>The hunter, accepting the offer of hospitality from the pigeon requested him to find a way of saving him from the biting cold. The pigeon  gathered a large heap of dry leaves, and then flew to the blacksmith to bring fire. Soon he had a big blaze going. The hunter luxuriously warmed  himself up on the fire. He was relieved of the cold. And then he began to feel the pangs of hunger.  

The pigeon almost cried with pleasure on listening to the sage advice of his wife. And immediately, he offered himself and his house at the  seva (सेवा | selfless service) of that cruel guest. He graciously welcomed the hunter, asked him to feel free as if he were in his own house, and lovingly enquired after  his needs. The pigeon also reassured him that he, the hunter, had come to his house and even an enemy coming thus ought to be offered proper  welcome. After all, a tree does not withdraw its shade from the one who comes to it with the intention of cutting it down:  <blockquote>अरावप्युचितं कार्यमातिथ्यं गृहमागते। छेत्तुमप्यागते छायां नोपसंहरते द्रुमः॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.146.5)</blockquote><blockquote>''arāvapyucitaṁ kāryamātithyaṁ gr̥hamāgate। chettumapyāgate chāyāṁ nopasaṁharate drumaḥ॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.146.5)''</blockquote>The hunter, accepting the offer of hospitality from the pigeon requested him to find a way of saving him from the biting cold. The pigeon  gathered a large heap of dry leaves, and then flew to the blacksmith to bring fire. Soon he had a big blaze going. The hunter luxuriously warmed  himself up on the fire. He was relieved of the cold. And then he began to feel the pangs of hunger.  

=== Annardham Atmarpana ===

=== Annardham Atmarpana ===

[[Category:Danas]]

[[Category:Danas]]

[[Category:Annadana]]

[[Category:Annadana]]