Shloka 5

Devanagari script

भक्ष्यभोज्याधिकारेषु दःशासनमयोजयत्‌ | परिग्रहे ब्राह्मणानामश्च॒त्थामानमुक्तवान्‌,भक्ष्य-भोज्य आदि सामग्रीकी देख-रेख तथा उसके बाँटने परोसनेकी व्यवस्थाका अधिकार दुःशासनको दिया। ब्राह्मणोंके स्वागत-सत्कारका भार उन्होंने अश्वत्थामाको सौंप दिया

Transliteration

bhakṣya-bhojyādhikāreṣu duḥśāsanam ayojayat | parigrahe brāhmaṇānām aśvatthāmānam uktavān |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: He appointed Duḥśāsana to oversee the provisions of food—its custody, distribution, and serving. For the reception and honoring of the brāhmaṇas, he entrusted the responsibility to Aśvatthāmā. The passage shows royal power expressed through delegated duties: the management of sustenance and the dharmic obligation of hospitality toward the learned.

Word by Word

भक्ष्यभोज्याधिकारेषुin the matters/charge of eatables and food (distribution/management)

दुःशासनम्Duhshasana

अयोजयत्appointed/assigned

परिग्रहेin the reception/entertainment (duty of welcoming)

ब्राह्मणानाम्of the Brahmins

अश्वत्थामानम्Ashvatthaman

उक्तवान्having said / he said (appointed by saying)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Duḥśāsana

Aśvatthāmā

Brāhmaṇas

bhakṣya-bhojya (food provisions)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores dharma in governance: material resources (food and service) must be organized responsibly, and honoring brāhmaṇas through proper reception is treated as a distinct ethical duty. Delegation is not merely administrative; it reflects the ruler’s commitment to social and ritual obligations.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the context of a royal arrangement, specific duties are assigned: Duḥśāsana is put in charge of managing and serving food provisions, while Aśvatthāmā is tasked with welcoming and honoring the brāhmaṇas.