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 dit : Le roi Duryodhana, à l’intention de ces rois magnanimes venus avec leurs armées et leurs montures, ordonna la distribution de mets et de provisions sans pareils. Ici, l’hospitalité royale se déploie avec magnificence — manifestation extérieure du devoir du souverain et de la prudence politique — afin d’assurer les fidélités et de raffermir les alliances à la veille du conflit.
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.