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 |
毗湿摩说：因惧怕诅咒，国王备办并陈设了极其丰盛的食物——各式肉食烹制、种种叶菜、诸般熟食与珍馐，并有清淡饮品。
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.