Shloka 40
भोजनानि च हृद्यानि पानानि विविधानि च । तन्महोत्सवसंकाशं हृष्टपुष्टजनायुतम् । नगरं मत्स्यराजस्य शुशुभे भरतर्षभ,हजारों गौएँ, रत्न, नाना प्रकारके वस्त्र, आभूषण, मुख्य-मुख्य वाहन, शबय्या, भोजनसामग्री तथा भाँति-भाँतिकी पीनेयोग्य उत्तम वस्तुएँ भी अर्पण कीं। जनमेजय! उस समय हजारों-लाखों हृष्ट-पुष्ट मनुष्योंस भरा हुआ मत्स्यराजका वह नगर मूर्तिमान् महोत्सव-सा सुशोभित हो रहा था
bhojanāni ca hṛdyāni pānāni vividhāni ca | tan-mahotsava-saṅkāśaṃ hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa-janāyutam | nagaraṃ matsyarājasya śuśubhe bharatarṣabha ||
“Dan turut dipersembahkan makanan yang lazat serta pelbagai jenis minuman. Wahai yang termulia antara keturunan Bharata, kota raja Matsya—sesak dengan orang ramai yang ceria dan sihat—bersinar laksana suatu perayaan agung yang menjelma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of abundance used for communal well-being—prosperity expressed through hospitality, orderly celebration, and the visible flourishing of people, suggesting that a well-governed realm manifests joy and nourishment rather than fear and deprivation.
Vaiśampāyana describes the Matsya king’s city at that time as radiant like a great festival: plentiful delightful foods and varied drinks are being offered, and the city is filled with large crowds of happy, robust people, emphasizing the festive, prosperous atmosphere.