Shloka 15

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reception Plan for Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa): Gifts, Procession, and Protocol

Devanagari script

गुणवन्त्यन्नपानानि भोज्यानि विविधानि च | माल्यानि च सुगन्धीनि तानि राजा ददौ ततः

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

guṇavanty annapānāni bhojyāni vividhāni ca |

mālyāni ca sugandhīni tāni rājā dadau tataḥ ||

Translation

Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan, ipinag-utos ng hari na ihanda at ilagay doon ang pagkain at inuming may pinakamainam na uri, maraming handang putahe, at mga mababangong kuwintas ng bulaklak.

Word by Word

• गुणवन्ति: possessing qualities, excellent
• गुणवन्ति: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुणवत्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• अन्नपानानि: foods and drinks
• अन्नपानानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्नपान
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• भोज्यानि: edible, to be eaten
• भोज्यानि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोज्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• विविधानि: various, diverse
• विविधानि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• माल्यानि: garlands
• माल्यानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: माल्य
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• सुगन्धीनि: fragrant
• सुगन्धीनि: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगन्धिन्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• तानि: those (things)
• तानि: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ददौ: gave
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Duryodhana
• king (rājā)
• food (anna)
• drink (pāna)
• dishes/foods (bhojya)
• fragrant garlands (sugandhī mālyāni)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how generosity and hospitality can be used not only as virtue but also as strategy. Ethically, it invites reflection on intention: gifts and comforts may honor guests, yet they can also function as instruments of persuasion in a conflict-laden setting.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva context of diplomatic maneuvering before war, Duryodhana arranges high-quality food, drink, varied dishes, and fragrant garlands to be placed for those assembled, creating an atmosphere of royal splendor and welcome.