Shloka 64
शराक्ष देया राजेन्द्र चापान्यसिवरास्तथा । राजेन्द्र! द्रोणपर्वमें ब्राह्मणोंको परम उत्तम भोजन कराये और उन्हें धनुष, बाण तथा उत्तम खड्ग प्रदान करे ।। ६३ $ ।। कर्णपर्वण्यपि तथा भोजन सार्वकामिकम्
śarākṣa deyā rājendra cāpāny asivarās tathā | rājendra! droṇaparvaṇi brāhmaṇān parama-uttama-bhojanaṁ kārayed, tebhyo dhanuṣo bāṇān ca uttama-khaḍgān pradadyāt || karṇaparvaṇy api tathā bhojanaṁ sārvakāmikam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O best of kings, let protective gear be given, and likewise bows and excellent swords. O king, in the Droṇa Parvan, have the brāhmaṇas fed with the finest food, and present them with bows, arrows, and superior blades. In the Karṇa Parvan as well, arrange food that satisfies every need.” The passage frames royal duty as sustained generosity—especially toward brāhmaṇas—linking the king’s ethical standing to timely gifts and hospitality even amid the shadow of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes sustained generosity: arranging excellent hospitality for brāhmaṇas and giving appropriate gifts. Ethical kingship is measured not only by power but by timely dāna and care for those regarded as custodians of sacred learning.
Vaiśaṃpāyana instructs the king (rājendra) about ritualized giving and feeding to be performed in connection with specific war-books (Droṇa Parvan and Karṇa Parvan), specifying gifts such as armor, bows, arrows, and fine swords, along with universally satisfying meals.