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 ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—शापाच्या भयाने राजाने अनेक प्रकारचे रुचकर पदार्थ मागवून मांडले—गोड पेये व शरबत, पूए व पक्वान्ने, नानाविध मोदक, खांडाच्या मिठाया व विविध रस; तसेच मुनिंना योग्य असे वन्य अन्न—कंदमुळे व निरनिराळी फळे—आणि राजभोग्य अनेक व्यंजने, गृहस्थ व वनवासी यांना योग्य असे भोजनही।
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.