Shloka 26
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
भारत! विभिन्न देशोंमें लोग जिन वस्तुओंकी इच्छा रखते थे, उन्हें वे ही दी जाती थीं। भूखोंको भोजन करानेके लिये सर्वत्र अन्नका प्रबन्ध किया गया था ।।
bhārata! vibhinnadeśeṣu lokā yāni vastūni kāmayante sma, tāni tāni tebhya eva dīyante sma. bubhukṣitānāṃ bhojanārthaṃ sarvatra annasya prabandhaḥ kṛto 'bhavat. yo yo yatra dvijo bhojyaṃ bhoktuṃ kāmayate tadā, tasya tasya tu tatraivam upajahuḥ tadā nūpa-nareśvara.
O Bhārata, in den verschiedenen Ländern wurde den Menschen gegeben, wonach sie verlangten. Um die Hungrigen zu speisen, war überall für Nahrung gesorgt. Wo und wann immer ein Brāhmaṇa zu essen wünschte, reichten ihm die Diener Balarāmas unverzüglich Speise und Trank an Ort und Stelle — so, o König unter den Menschen, war die Gastfreundschaft ohne Verzug gewährleistet.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as prompt hospitality and annadāna: ensuring that the hungry—especially brāhmaṇas seeking food—are served immediately and appropriately, reflecting responsible stewardship and generosity.
Vaiśampāyana describes an organized provision of supplies and food across regions: whenever a brāhmaṇa wished to eat, attendants served him on the spot, indicating a well-managed, large-scale arrangement of hospitality.