Shloka 19
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
फलानि च विचित्राणि राजभोज्यानि भूरिश: । बदरेड्गुदकाश्मर्यभललातकफलानि च
phalāni ca vicitrāṇi rājabhojyāni bhūriśaḥ | badareṅgudakāśmaryabhallātakaphalāni ca ||
Bhishma dijo: «Y había muchas clases de frutos extraordinarios y abundantes manjares dignos de reyes: azufaifas (badara), bayas de inguda, frutos de kāśmarya y también nueces de bhallātaka.» En el contexto del relato, el rey, temiendo las consecuencias de una maldición, se apresura a procurar y presentar todo alimento apropiado—tanto los productos silvestres aceptables para los ascetas como el refinado sustento real—mostrando cómo el temor a las repercusiones del adharma puede impulsar actos externos de hospitalidad y acatamiento.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of honoring guests and holy persons with appropriate offerings. It also hints that even when motivated by fear of consequences (such as a curse), a ruler is expected to uphold dharma through generosity and proper provision.
Bhishma describes an abundant presentation of foods—especially diverse fruits and royal delicacies—assembled for offering. The surrounding narration (as reflected in the Gita Press prose) indicates the king arranged these provisions out of fear of a curse, ensuring both ascetic-suitable forest produce and kingly fare were made available.