Shloka 42
पर्यवेषन् द्विजातींस्तानू शतशो5थ सहस्रश: । विविधान्यन्नपानानि पुरुषा येडनुयायिन: । ते वै नृपोपभोज्यानि ब्राह्मुणानां ददुश्च॒ ह,सैकड़ों और हजारों मनुष्य वहाँ ब्राह्मणोंको तरह-तरहके भोजन परोसते थे। वे सब- के-सब सोनेके हार और विशुद्ध मणिमय कुण्डलोंसे अलंकृत होते थे। राजाके अनुयायी पुरुष वहाँ ब्राह्मणोंको तरह-तरहके अन्न-पान एवं राजोचित भोजन अर्पित करते थे
paryaveṣan dvijātīṁs tān śataśo ’tha sahasraśaḥ | vividhāny annapānāni puruṣā ye ’nuyāyinaḥ | te vai nṛpopabhogyāni brāhmaṇānāṁ daduś ca ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The twice-born Brahmins were served—by the hundreds and by the thousands. The king’s attendants and followers presented them with many kinds of food and drink, offering provisions fit for royal enjoyment. The scene underscores the ruler’s duty to honor Brahmins through generous hospitality and orderly distribution, making public charity an expression of dharma rather than mere display.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma expressed through dāna and atithi-satkāra: a righteous ruler (and his household/retinue) should honor Brahmins and guests with abundant, orderly hospitality, offering even royal-quality provisions as a public act of dharma.
Large numbers of Brahmins are being served and given varied food and drink by the king’s attendants and followers, who distribute royal-grade provisions as part of a major ceremonial setting in the Ashvamedhika Parva.