Shloka 16

Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage

Devanagari script

ततो जाम्बूनदी: पात्रीर्वजाड़का विमला: शुभा: । वरान्नपूर्णा विप्रेभ्य: प्रादान्मधुघृतप्लुता:

Transliteration

tato jāmbūnadīḥ pātrīr vajāḍkā vimalāḥ śubhāḥ | varānna-pūrṇā viprebhyaḥ prādān madhu-ghṛta-plutāḥ ||

Translation

Alors il offrit aux brāhmaṇas des plateaux immaculés et de bon augure, en or de Jāmbūnada, incrustés de diamants, remplis de mets d’élite—des douceurs préparées au ghee, baignées de miel et de beurre clarifié—les honorant ainsi par une hospitalité fastueuse et un don empreint de vénération.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• जाम्बूनदीः: made of Jāmbūnada-gold
• जाम्बूनदीः: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जाम्बूनदी
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• पात्रीः: plates, dishes
• पात्रीः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्री
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• वज्राङ्काः: diamond-inlaid / marked with vajra (diamond)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वज्राङ्का
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• विमलाः: clean, spotless
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमल
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• शुभाः: beautiful, auspicious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• वरान्नपूर्णाः: filled with excellent food
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वरान्नपूर्ण
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• विप्रेभ्यः: to the Brahmins
• विप्रेभ्यः: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Plural

• प्रादात्: gave, offered
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दा
• Form: Aorist (simple past), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• मधुघृतप्लुताः: soaked/filled with honey and ghee
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुघृतप्लुत
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• brāhmaṇas (viprāḥ)
• Jāmbūnada-gold trays/plates (pātrīḥ)
• diamonds (vajra)
• honey (madhu)
• ghee (ghṛta)
• choice foods/sweetmeats (varānna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dāna and atithi-satkara as practical dharma: honoring worthy recipients (brāhmaṇas) with purity, respect, and abundance, showing that ethical merit is expressed through reverent, generous giving.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma describes a scene of formal hospitality: diamond-inlaid golden trays are brought and presented to brāhmaṇas, laden with excellent foods—sweet preparations rich with honey and ghee—signifying ceremonial respect and munificent offering.