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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。「呪いを恐れて王は、さまざまな美味を取り寄せ、並べさせた。甘い飲み物と蜜、菓子と焼き菓子、種々のモーダカ（甘い団子菓子）、氷砂糖の調製品、そして多様な果汁。さらに、牟尼にふさわしい森の食—野の根や芋、さまざまな果実—を備え、王たちが常に味わう精緻な料理の数々と、家住者にも林住者にも適う食物までも整えたのである。」
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.