Shloka 13
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 193 — Hastināpura Mantra: Duryodhana’s Proposals to Divide the Pāṇḍavas
उच्चावचं पार्थिवभोजनीयं पात्रीषु जाम्बूनदराजतीषु । दासाश्ष दास्यश्व सुमृष्टवेषा: सम्भोजकाश्षाप्युपजहुरज्ञम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ucchāvacaṃ pārthivabhojanīyaṃ pātrīṣu jāmbūnadarajatīṣu |
dāsāś ca dāsyaś ca sumṛṣṭaveṣāḥ sambhojakāś cāpy upajahur ajñam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Para pelayan—lelaki dan perempuan—yang berpakaian kemas, bersama para penyaji, membawa dan menghidangkan di hadapan mereka pelbagai jenis makanan, baik yang biasa mahupun yang terpilih, layak dimakan para raja, disajikan dalam bekas emas dan perak. Pemandangan itu menegaskan keramahan istana serta pemeliharaan kewajipan sosial melalui layanan yang tertib dan pemberian yang murah hati.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as proper hospitality and orderly service: those responsible for serving do so with cleanliness, decorum, and generosity, reflecting ethical conduct within a royal setting.
A formal meal is being served: well-dressed male and female attendants and servers bring a wide variety of foods suitable for kings, presenting them in gold and silver vessels.