Shloka 40
भोजनानि च हृद्यानि पानानि विविधानि च । तन्महोत्सवसंकाशं हृष्टपुष्टजनायुतम् । नगरं मत्स्यराजस्य शुशुभे भरतर्षभ,हजारों गौएँ, रत्न, नाना प्रकारके वस्त्र, आभूषण, मुख्य-मुख्य वाहन, शबय्या, भोजनसामग्री तथा भाँति-भाँतिकी पीनेयोग्य उत्तम वस्तुएँ भी अर्पण कीं। जनमेजय! उस समय हजारों-लाखों हृष्ट-पुष्ट मनुष्योंस भरा हुआ मत्स्यराजका वह नगर मूर्तिमान् महोत्सव-सा सुशोभित हो रहा था
bhojanāni ca hṛdyāni pānāni vividhāni ca | tan-mahotsava-saṅkāśaṃ hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa-janāyutam | nagaraṃ matsyarājasya śuśubhe bharatarṣabha ||
“And there were offered delightful foods and many kinds of drinks as well. O bull among the Bharatas, the city of the king of the Matsyas—crowded with multitudes of cheerful, well-nourished people—shone like a grand festival made manifest.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of abundance used for communal well-being—prosperity expressed through hospitality, orderly celebration, and the visible flourishing of people, suggesting that a well-governed realm manifests joy and nourishment rather than fear and deprivation.
Vaiśampāyana describes the Matsya king’s city at that time as radiant like a great festival: plentiful delightful foods and varied drinks are being offered, and the city is filled with large crowds of happy, robust people, emphasizing the festive, prosperous atmosphere.