Shloka 20
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action
मोदकै: पायसेनाथ मांसापूपैस्तथैव च । आशास्य च महात्मानं प्रययुर्मुदिता भूशम्
modakaiḥ pāyasena atha māṃsāpūpaiḥ tathaiva ca | āśāsya ca mahātmānaṃ prayayur muditā bhūśam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having gratified that great-souled Lord with sweetmeats, rice-pudding, and meat-cakes, they sought his benediction and then set out, the kings (the Pāṇḍavas) departing in high spirits.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Major undertakings should begin with humility, auspicious rites, and the seeking of blessings; prosperity and success are framed as aligned with reverence and dharmic preparation rather than mere power.
The Pāṇḍavas offer various foods—sweets, rice-pudding, and meat-cakes—to a revered great-souled deity (contextually Maheśvara/Śiva), receive his benediction, and then depart joyfully to proceed with their next course of action.