Shloka 19
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
फलानि च विचित्राणि राजभोज्यानि भूरिश: । बदरेड्गुदकाश्मर्यभललातकफलानि च
phalāni ca vicitrāṇi rājabhojyāni bhūriśaḥ | badareṅgudakāśmaryabhallātakaphalāni ca ||
Bhishma said: “And there were many kinds of remarkable fruits and numerous delicacies fit for kings—jujubes, inguda-berries, kāśmarya fruits, and bhallātaka nuts as well.” In the narrative context, the king, fearing the consequences of a curse, hastens to procure and present every suitable food item—wild forest produce acceptable to ascetics as well as refined royal fare—showing how fear of adharma’s repercussions can drive outward acts of hospitality and compliance.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of honoring guests and holy persons with appropriate offerings. It also hints that even when motivated by fear of consequences (such as a curse), a ruler is expected to uphold dharma through generosity and proper provision.
Bhishma describes an abundant presentation of foods—especially diverse fruits and royal delicacies—assembled for offering. The surrounding narration (as reflected in the Gita Press prose) indicates the king arranged these provisions out of fear of a curse, ensuring both ascetic-suitable forest produce and kingly fare were made available.