अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
गृहस्थानां च यद् भोज्यं यच्चापि वनवासिनाम् | सर्वमाहारयामास राजा शापभयात् ततः
bhīṣma uvāca |
gṛhasthānāṃ ca yad bhojyaṃ yac cāpi vanavāsinām |
sarvam āhārayāmāsa rājā śāpabhayāt tataḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Pagkaraan, dahil sa takot sa sumpa, ipinadala at inihain ng hari ang lahat ng maaaring kainin—maging ang pagkaing nararapat sa mga maybahay at ang pagkaing angkop sa mga naninirahan sa gubat.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights a king’s obligation to provide appropriately for different modes of life (householder and forest-dweller), while also showing how fear of moral/spiritual consequence (a curse) can compel a ruler to act promptly and comprehensively.
Bhishma narrates that the king, anxious about incurring a curse, orders that all kinds of suitable foods be procured—covering both settled household fare and forest-appropriate provisions—and has them presented without omission.