Shloka 73
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
एकरात्र तु ते ब्रह्मन् काम॑ दास्यामि भोजनम् | एवमुक्तस्त्वहं तेन सदार: प्रस्थितस्तदा
ekarātraṃ tu te brahman kāmaṃ dāsyāmi bhojanam | evam uktas tv ahaṃ tena sadāraḥ prasthitas tadā |
वैशम्पायन उवाच— “एकरात्रं तु ते ब्रह्मन् कामं दास्यामि भोजनम्।” एवमुक्तस्त्वहं तेन सदारः सुतसंयुतः प्रस्थितस्तदा, तस्यातिथिधर्मं प्रतिगृह्य।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma (the duty of hospitality): a host offers sustenance according to the guest’s wish, and the guest accepts appropriately, reflecting mutual ethical obligations that sustain social order.
King Drupada offers the speaker (addressed as a Brāhmaṇa) food and lodging for one night. After receiving this offer, the speaker departs/sets out with his wife and son, indicating acceptance of Drupada’s hospitality and a movement to the next narrative setting.