Shloka 8
Adhyāya 64 — Omens, Conch Signals, and Arjuna’s Assault on the Elephant Division
सूपान् मैरेयकापूपान् रागखाण्डवपानकान् । मृष्टान्नानि सुयुक्तानि मृदूनि सुरभीणि च,लड्डू, पूरी, पुए, स्वादिष्ट कचौड़ी, करम्भ, मोटे मुनक्के, तैयार अन्न, मैरेयक, अपूप, रागखाण्डव, पानक, शुद्ध एवं सुन्दर ढंगसे बने हुए मधुर और सुगन्धित भोज्य पदार्थ, घी, मधु, दूध, जल, दही, सरस वस्तुएँ तथा सुस्वादु फल, मूल वहाँ ब्राह्मणगलोग भोजन करते थे
sūpān maireyakāpūpān rāgakhāṇḍavapānakān | mṛṣṭānnāni suyuktāni mṛdūni surabhīṇi ca ||
Nārada said: “There were soups, intoxicating mareya drink, and apūpa cakes; also sweet preparations such as rāga and khāṇḍava, and refreshing pānaka beverages. Well-prepared delicacies—soft in texture and fragrant—were served.” The verse evokes a scene of abundant, carefully prepared food offered to Brahmins, highlighting the cultural-ethical ideal of hospitality (atithi-satkara) and generous giving (dāna) even amid the larger tensions of the war narrative.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic value of atithi-satkara (honoring guests) and dāna (generous provision), shown through carefully prepared, wholesome, fragrant foods offered in a socially and ritually appropriate setting.
Nārada describes an occasion of plentiful, well-prepared food and drink—soups, sweets, and beverages—conveying abundance and orderly hospitality, likely in the context of Brahmins being fed as part of a rite or charitable distribution.