Shloka 85
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
यदि चाहमनुग्राह्मो भवतो दयितो5पि वा । क्रियतां तावदाहारस्ततो वेत्स्याम्यहं परम्
yadi cāham anugrāhyo bhavato dayito ’pi vā | kriyatāṁ tāvad āhāras tato vetsyāmy ahaṁ param ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: “Kung ako’y karapat-dapat pagpalain ng iyong habag—oo, kung ako’y mahal mo—ipahanda muna ang pagkain at kumain muna. Pagkaraan niyon, malalaman ko kung ano ang dapat gawin sa susunod (at ang higit na mataas na landas).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic propriety: before pursuing weighty decisions or higher aims, one should first attend to basic duties like offering and taking food—an ethical emphasis on hospitality, care, and orderly conduct.
The speaker (Vaiśampāyana, narrating) conveys a request framed as an appeal to affection and favor: “If you care for me, first arrange the meal; afterward I will determine the next (or higher) course.” It signals a pause for sustenance before proceeding with further action or counsel.