Shloka 16
Ādi-parva 109: Pāṇḍu’s Forest Hunt and Kiṃdama’s Curse (पाण्डोर्मृगयावृत्तान्तः—किंदमशापः)
गृहेषु कुरुमुख्यानां पौराणां च नराधिप । दीयतां भुज्यतां चेति वाचो<श्रूयन्त सर्वश:,जनमेजय! कुरुकुलके प्रधान-प्रधान पुरुषों तथा अन्य नगरनिवासियोंके घरोंमें सदा सब ओर यही बात सुनायी देती थी कि “दान दो और अतिथियोंको भोजन कराओ'
gṛheṣu kurumukhyānāṃ paurāṇāṃ ca narādhipa | dīyatāṃ bhujyatāṃ ceti vāco 'śrūyanta sarvaśaḥ janamejaya ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O König, in den Häusern der vornehmsten Männer aus dem Kuru-Geschlecht wie auch in den Häusern der Stadtbewohner hörte man überall unablässig denselben Ruf: ‚Gebt Almosen und speist die Gäste.‘“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates dāna (charitable giving) and atithi-satkara (feeding and honoring guests) as everyday dharma—so widely practiced that it becomes a constant public refrain, indicating that ethical life is sustained by habitual generosity.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating to King Janamejaya, describes the prevailing conduct among leading Kurus and city residents: in their homes one repeatedly heard calls to give charity and provide food—portraying a community oriented toward hospitality and public-spirited virtue.