Shloka 226
Jñāna-yoga and Karma-phala: Manu–Bṛhaspati on Akṣara and the Limits of Mantra
सुशृतं पायसे ब्रूयाद् यवाग्वां कूसरे तथा । भोजन करानेके पश्चात् दाता पूछे कि क्या भोजन सम्पन्न हो गया? ब्राह्मण उत्तर दे कि सम्पन्न हो गया। इसी प्रकार जल पिलानेके बाद दाता पूछे तृप्ति हुई क्या? ब्राह्मण उत्तर दे कि अच्छी तरह तृप्ति हो गयी। खीर खिलानेके बाद जब यजमान पूछे कि अच्छा बना था न? तब ब्राह्मण उत्तर दे बहुत अच्छा बना था। इसी प्रकार जौका हलुआ और खिचड़ी खिलानेके बाद भी प्रश्न और उत्तर होना चाहिये
suśṛtaṃ pāyase brūyād yavāgvāṃ kūsare tathā |
Bhishma says: When served well-prepared kheer (milk-rice), the Brahmin should say, “It is well-cooked.” Likewise, regarding yavāgū (a thin gruel) and kūsara (a barley-based preparation), the proper exchange should occur: after feeding, the giver asks whether the meal has been duly completed, and the Brahmin replies that it has been completed; after offering water, the giver asks whether satisfaction has been attained, and the Brahmin replies that he is fully satisfied; after serving kheer, when the host asks whether it was well made, the Brahmin should answer that it was very well made. Thus, after serving barley-sweet and khicṛī-like dishes too, questions and courteous replies should be observed—so that hospitality is completed with respect, gratitude, and dharmic propriety.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma in hospitality is completed not only by giving food and water but also by maintaining courteous, truthful, and reassuring speech between host and guest—so the act of giving is sealed with respect and gratitude.
Bhishma instructs on proper meal etiquette: the host asks whether the guest has eaten and is satisfied, and the Brahmin guest responds appropriately, praising the well-prepared dishes such as pāyasa, yavāgū, and kūsara.