Shloka 18
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
रसालापूपकांश्रित्रानू मोदकानथ खाण्डवान् | रसान् नानाप्रकारांश्व वन्यं च मुनिभोजनम्
bhīṣma uvāca | rasālāpūpakāṃś cāpi trīn modakān atha khāṇḍavān | rasān nānāprakārāṃś ca vanyaṃ ca munibhojanam ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Dahil sa takot sa sumpa, ipinadala at inihain ng hari ang sari-saring masasarap: matatamis na inumin at mga arnibal, mga keyk at pastry, iba’t ibang modaka (matatamis na dumpling), mga paghahandang asukal na parang kendi, at mga katas na iba-iba; pati mga pagkaing-gubat na angkop sa mga muni—mga ligaw na ugat at tuber at sari-saring prutas—kasama ang maraming ulam na karaniwang tinatamasa ng mga hari, at mga pagkaing nararapat sa mga maybahay at sa mga naninirahan sa gubat.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic hospitality: a ruler should provide appropriate, varied, and context-sensitive food—fit for sages as well as for royal guests—showing respect and restraint, especially when moral consequences (such as a curse) are at stake.
Bhishma describes how a king, fearing the repercussions of offending holy persons, urgently procures and presents an extensive spread of foods—sweets, drinks, and forest fare suitable for ascetics—along with items typically enjoyed in royal households.