Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 10
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
पर्यड्कान् रत्नसौवर्णान् परारघ्यास्तरणावृतान् | भक्ष्यं भोज्यमनन्तं च तत्र तत्रोपकल्पितम्
paryaṅkān ratnasauvarṇān parārghyāstaraṇāvṛtān | bhakṣyaṁ bhojyam anantaṁ ca tatra tatropakalpitam ||
ਸੋਨੇ ਦੇ ਬਣੇ, ਰਤਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਜੜੇ ਪਲੰਗਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਕੀਮਤੀ ਚਾਦਰਾਂ ਵਿਛੀਆਂ ਸਨ; ਅਤੇ ਥਾਂ-ਥਾਂ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਕਿਸਮ ਦੇ ਭੱਖਣਯੋਗ ਤੇ ਭੋਜਨਯੋਗ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਸਜਾ ਕੇ ਰੱਖੇ ਸਨ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of royal hospitality and generosity: abundance and careful arrangement of comforts and food are presented as marks of prosperity used in service of guests and social duty (dharma), not merely private indulgence.
Bhishma is describing a scene of opulence and preparation—jewel-inlaid golden couches with costly coverings and plentiful varieties of food placed in many locations—depicting a grand, well-provisioned setting for receiving or honoring people.