Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
पर्यड्कान् रत्नसौवर्णान् परारघ्यास्तरणावृतान् | भक्ष्यं भोज्यमनन्तं च तत्र तत्रोपकल्पितम्
paryaṅkān ratnasauvarṇān parārghyāstaraṇāvṛtān | bhakṣyaṁ bhojyam anantaṁ ca tatra tatropakalpitam ||
وكانت هناك أسرّة من ذهب مرصّعة بالجواهر، مغطّاة بأفخر الأبسطة وأغلاها. وفي مواضع شتّى أُعِدَّت أطعمة لا تُحصى—مما يُمضَغ ومما يُؤكَل—مرتّبةً ومهيّأة.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the ideal of royal hospitality and generosity: abundance and careful arrangement of comforts and food are presented as marks of prosperity used in service of guests and social duty (dharma), not merely private indulgence.
Bhishma is describing a scene of opulence and preparation—jewel-inlaid golden couches with costly coverings and plentiful varieties of food placed in many locations—depicting a grand, well-provisioned setting for receiving or honoring people.