Shloka 656

Devanagari script

अपूपैस्तर्पणैश्वैव सर्वमन्नें प्रदापयेत्‌ । राजेन्द्र! शल्यपर्वमें मिठाई, गुड़, भात, पूआ तथा तृप्तिकारक फल आदिके साथ सब प्रकारके उत्तम अन्न दान करे

Transliteration

Vaiśampāyana uvāca: apūpaiḥ tarpaṇaiś caiva sarvam annaṃ pradāpayet | rājendra!

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, one should have all kinds of food distributed—especially sweet cakes (apūpa) and satisfying refreshments (tarpaṇa).” In ethical context, the verse commends generous hospitality and food-giving as a dharmic act that nourishes others and accrues merit, particularly in the solemn setting of the Svargārohaṇa narrative where the fruits of conduct are being underscored.

Word by Word

अपूपैःwith cakes (apūpas)

तर्पणैःwith satiating/refreshing foods (tarpanas)

चand

एवindeed/just

सर्वम्all

अन्नम्food/grain

प्रदापयेत्should cause to be given / should have (it) given

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

rājendra (the king addressed)

apūpa (sweet cake/food item)

tarpaṇa (refreshment/offering)

anna (food)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches anna-dāna—generous distribution of nourishing food and satisfying sweets/refreshments—as a concrete expression of dharma, emphasizing care for others through hospitality and charity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Within the Svargārohaṇa Parva’s reflective, consequence-focused narration, Vaiśampāyana addresses the king and states a prescriptive rule: arrange for the giving of all kinds of food, highlighting charitable conduct as spiritually significant.