Shloka 17
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
मांसप्रकारान् विविधान् शाकानि विविधानि च । वेसवारविकारांश्व पानकानि लघूनि च
bhīṣma uvāca | māṁsa-prakārān vividhān śākāni vividhāni ca | veśavāra-vikārāṁś ca pānakāni laghūni ca |
Bhīṣma nói: Vì sợ bị nguyền rủa, nhà vua đã mang đến và bày ra vô số món ăn phong phú—nhiều loại thịt chế biến, đủ thứ rau lá, các món nấu nướng và cao lương mỹ vị, cùng những thức uống nhẹ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic importance of proper hospitality and provision—especially by those in power—motivated here by the awareness that neglecting one’s duty (such as honoring guests/ascetics) can incur grave moral consequences, symbolized by fear of a curse.
Bhīṣma describes a scene of extensive food being arranged: many varieties of meat dishes, vegetable preparations, special culinary items, and light drinks are gathered and presented, with the surrounding context indicating that a king has ordered these provisions out of fear of being cursed.