Shloka 13
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 193 — Hastināpura Mantra: Duryodhana’s Proposals to Divide the Pāṇḍavas
उच्चावचं पार्थिवभोजनीयं पात्रीषु जाम्बूनदराजतीषु । दासाश्ष दास्यश्व सुमृष्टवेषा: सम्भोजकाश्षाप्युपजहुरज्ञम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ucchāvacaṃ pārthivabhojanīyaṃ pātrīṣu jāmbūnadarajatīṣu |
dāsāś ca dāsyaś ca sumṛṣṭaveṣāḥ sambhojakāś cāpy upajahur ajñam ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Lalu para pelayan—laki-laki dan perempuan—berpakaian rapi, bersama para penyaji, membawa dan menghidangkan aneka makanan, yang biasa maupun yang pilihan, layak santapan raja, disajikan dalam bejana emas dan perak.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as proper hospitality and orderly service: those responsible for serving do so with cleanliness, decorum, and generosity, reflecting ethical conduct within a royal setting.
A formal meal is being served: well-dressed male and female attendants and servers bring a wide variety of foods suitable for kings, presenting them in gold and silver vessels.