Shloka 16

Devanagari script

ततो जाम्बूनदी: पात्रीर्वजाड़का विमला: शुभा: । वरान्नपूर्णा विप्रेभ्य: प्रादान्मधुघृतप्लुता:,तत्पश्चात्‌ उसने हीरोंसे जड़ी हुई सोनेकी स्वच्छ सुन्दर थालियोंमें घीसे बने हुए मीठे पकवान परोसकर उन ब्राह्मणोंके आगे रख दिये

Transliteration

tato jāmbūnadīḥ pātrīr vajāḍkā vimalāḥ śubhāḥ | varānna-pūrṇā viprebhyaḥ prādān madhu-ghṛta-plutāḥ ||

Translation

Then he presented to the brāhmaṇas spotless, auspicious trays of Jāmbūnada-gold, inlaid with diamonds, filled with choice foods—sweetmeats prepared with ghee and drenched in honey and clarified butter—thus honoring them through lavish hospitality and reverent giving.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

जाम्बूनदीःmade of Jāmbūnada-gold

पात्रीःplates, dishes

वज्राङ्काःdiamond-inlaid / marked with vajra (diamond)

विमलाःclean, spotless

शुभाःbeautiful, auspicious

वरान्नपूर्णाःfilled with excellent food

विप्रेभ्यःto the Brahmins

प्रादात्gave, offered

मधुघृतप्लुताःsoaked/filled with honey and ghee

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

brāhmaṇas (viprāḥ)

Jāmbūnada-gold trays/plates (pātrīḥ)

diamonds (vajra)

honey (madhu)

ghee (ghṛta)

choice foods/sweetmeats (varānna)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dāna and atithi-satkara as practical dharma: honoring worthy recipients (brāhmaṇas) with purity, respect, and abundance, showing that ethical merit is expressed through reverent, generous giving.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma describes a scene of formal hospitality: diamond-inlaid golden trays are brought and presented to brāhmaṇas, laden with excellent foods—sweet preparations rich with honey and ghee—signifying ceremonial respect and munificent offering.