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 ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Il y avait encore quantité de fruits remarquables et de nombreux mets dignes des rois : des jujubes (badara), des baies d’inguda, des fruits de kāśmarya, et aussi des noix de bhallātaka.» Dans le contexte du récit, le roi, redoutant les conséquences d’une malédiction, s’empresse de faire procurer et d’offrir toute nourriture convenable—produits sauvages acceptables aux ascètes comme mets raffinés de la table royale—montrant comment la crainte des retombées de l’adharma peut susciter des gestes extérieurs d’hospitalité et de soumission.
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.