Shloka 18
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
रसालापूपकांश्रित्रानू मोदकानथ खाण्डवान् | रसान् नानाप्रकारांश्व वन्यं च मुनिभोजनम्
bhīṣma uvāca | rasālāpūpakāṃś cāpi trīn modakān atha khāṇḍavān | rasān nānāprakārāṃś ca vanyaṃ ca munibhojanam ||
Bhishma berkata: “Karena takut akan kutuk, sang raja telah mendatangkan dan menghamparkan aneka hidangan lezat: minuman manis dan sirup, kue-kue dan penganan, beragam modaka, olahan gula-kristal, serta sari dan jus bermacam-macam; juga makanan hutan yang layak bagi para resi—umbi-umbian liar, akar, dan buah-buahan beraneka—beserta banyak masakan yang biasa dinikmati para raja, dan santapan yang sesuai bagi para grihastha maupun pertapa penghuni rimba.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic hospitality: a ruler should provide appropriate, varied, and context-sensitive food—fit for sages as well as for royal guests—showing respect and restraint, especially when moral consequences (such as a curse) are at stake.
Bhishma describes how a king, fearing the repercussions of offending holy persons, urgently procures and presents an extensive spread of foods—sweets, drinks, and forest fare suitable for ascetics—along with items typically enjoyed in royal households.