Shloka 17
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
तेषां दुर्योधनो राजा ससैन्यानां महात्मनाम् | व्यादिदेश सवाह्यानां भक्ष्यभोज्यमनुत्तमम्
teṣāṁ duryodhano rājā sasainyānāṁ mahātmanām | vyādideśa savāhyānāṁ bhakṣyabhojyam anuttamam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: El rey Duryodhana, para aquellos reyes magnánimos que habían llegado con sus ejércitos y monturas, ordenó la distribución de alimentos y provisiones insuperables. En esta escena, la hospitalidad real se despliega a gran escala: una demostración externa del deber regio y de la prudencia política, destinada a asegurar lealtades y fortalecer alianzas en vísperas del conflicto.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a facet of rājadharma: a ruler must provide for guests, allies, and dependents. Yet in the Udyoga context, such generosity also functions as political statecraft—hospitality becomes a means to consolidate support and project power before war.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Duryodhana arranges excellent food and provisions for the assembled noble kings who have arrived with their forces and mounts, indicating large-scale preparations and the mobilization of allies.