Shloka 8
Parīkṣit-janma-saṃkaṭa and Kuntī’s petition to Vāsudeva (परिक्षिज्जन्मसंकटं कुन्त्याः प्रार्थना च)
ओदनं कुम्भश: कृत्वा पुरोधा: समुपाहरत् । ब्राह्मणेभ्य: सहस्राणि गवां दत्त्वा तु भूमिप:
odanaṃ kumbhaśaḥ kṛtvā purodhāḥ samupāharat | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ sahasrāṇi gavāṃ dattvā tu bhūmipaḥ ||
ओदनं कुम्भशः कृत्वा पुरोधाः समुपाहरत् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यः सहस्राणि गवां दत्त्वा तु भूमिपः ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship expressed through dāna: supporting Brahmins and ritual order by giving wealth (cows) and providing offerings (food), showing that power is to be exercised with generosity and responsibility.
In the course of a royal rite, the priest arranges prepared food (odana) in pots for distribution/offerings, while the king donates thousands of cows to the Brahmins as prescribed gifts accompanying the ceremony.