Valmiki Ramayana 1.53.3-4: Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shlokas 3-4
शबलाप्रार्थना-वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
उष्णाढ्यस्योदनस्यात्र राशयः पर्वतोपमाः ।
मृष्टान्नानि च सूपाश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च ॥३॥
नानास्वादुरसानां च षाडबानां तथैव च ।
भाजनानि सुपूर्णानि गौडानि च सहस्रशः ॥४॥
uṣṇāḍhyasyodanasyātra rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ |
mṛṣṭānnāni ca sūpāśca dadhikulyāstathaiva ca ||3||
nānāsvādurasānāṃ ca ṣāḍabānāṃ tathaiva ca |
bhājanāni supūrṇāni gauḍāni ca sahasraśaḥ ||4||
गरम चावल के बड़े-बड़े ढेर लगे थे, पहाड़ जैसा ऊँचा। दही की नदियाँ बहा रही थी। हर तरह के स्वाद वाले खाने थे। मीठा, नमकीन, खट्टा, सब था। हज़ारों बर्तन भरे हुए थे खाने से। गुड़ से बनी चीज़ें भी थीं।
Heaps of hot rice as high as mountains, savoury food, condiments and on abundance of curd, various kinds of soups, containers in their thousands completely filled with edibles with all six tastes and preparations made of jaggery (were distributed).
FAQs
The verse exemplifies the dharma of atithi-seva (service to guests) and generosity. Vasishta, through the divine cow Sabala, demonstrates that a host's sacred duty is to provide abundantly for guests, reflecting the principle that giving without expectation is the highest form of dharma.
Vasishta is hosting Viswamitra and his entire army at his ashrama. The wish-fulfilling cow Sabala miraculously produces mountains of food to satisfy everyone, demonstrating the power of divine grace and the sage's spiritual authority.
The virtue of generosity (daanam) and selfless service is emphasized. Vasishta's willingness to share the divine bounty of Sabala with all, including his former adversary Viswamitra, showcases the magnanimity expected of a true brahmarshi.
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