Shloka 5
भोजनं भोजयेद् विप्रान् गन्धमाल्यैरलंकृतान् । भीष्मपर्वणि राजेन्द्र दद्यात् पानीयमुत्तमम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bhojanaṃ bhojayet viprān gandhamālyair alaṅkṛtān | bhīṣmaparvaṇi rājendra dadyāt pānīyam uttamam ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— “हे राजेन्द्र! भीष्मपर्व के अवसर पर मनुष्य गन्ध और माल्य से अलंकृत ब्राह्मणों को उत्तम भोजन कराए और पवित्र श्रेष्ठ जल का दान भी दे।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches dharmic response to sacred recitation: one should express reverence through generosity—honoring learned brāhmaṇas with respectful adornment, feeding them well, and donating pure drinking water.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king and prescribes a meritorious practice connected with the Bhīṣma Parva: after hearing/engaging with this parva, one should perform acts of hospitality and charity, especially feeding brāhmaṇas and giving water.