Shloka 5
Śiśupāla-nigraha-prastāva: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Conciliation and Bhīṣma’s Defense of Kṛṣṇa
Book 2, Chapter 35
भक्ष्यभोज्याधिकारेषु दःशासनमयोजयत् | परिग्रहे ब्राह्मणानामश्च॒त्थामानमुक्तवान्,भक्ष्य-भोज्य आदि सामग्रीकी देख-रेख तथा उसके बाँटने परोसनेकी व्यवस्थाका अधिकार दुःशासनको दिया। ब्राह्मणोंके स्वागत-सत्कारका भार उन्होंने अश्वत्थामाको सौंप दिया
bhakṣya-bhojyādhikāreṣu duḥśāsanam ayojayat | parigrahe brāhmaṇānām aśvatthāmānam uktavān |
वैशम्पायन उवाच—भक्ष्यभोज्याधिकारेषु दःशासनमयोजयत्। परिग्रहे ब्राह्मणानामश्वत्थामानमुक्तवान्॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma in governance: material resources (food and service) must be organized responsibly, and honoring brāhmaṇas through proper reception is treated as a distinct ethical duty. Delegation is not merely administrative; it reflects the ruler’s commitment to social and ritual obligations.
In the context of a royal arrangement, specific duties are assigned: Duḥśāsana is put in charge of managing and serving food provisions, while Aśvatthāmā is tasked with welcoming and honoring the brāhmaṇas.