Shloka 12
युद्धसंग्रहः
Kurukṣetra Campaign in Summary
वस्त्रमाल्योत्करयुतो वीणावेणुमृदड्भगवान् । सुरामैरेयमिश्रेण भक्ष्यभोज्येन चैव ह
vaiśampāyana uvāca | vastramālyotkarayuto vīṇāveṇumṛdaṅgabhagavān | surāmaireyamiśreṇa bhakṣyabhojyena caiva ha ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：那盛大的欢会显得至为吉祥——衣裳与花鬘堆叠成丘，vīṇā琴、笛与mṛdaṅga鼓之乐声回荡不息；饮食丰盈，亦有苏罗酒（surā）与麦列耶酒（maireya）在内。市集与摊棚皆已设立，物资充足，四方行走往来极为便利。并且，为贫者、盲者与孤儿，混以surā与maireya的食物与饮品不断施舍分发，显出此会纵在酣乐之中，亦不失公义与慷慨。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s public celebration marked by abundance and cultural refinement (music, ornaments) alongside social responsibility: continuous provision for the vulnerable. Ethically, it juxtaposes generosity and welfare with the presence of intoxicants, inviting reflection on how prosperity and pleasure are to be balanced with dharmic care for those in need.
Vaiśampāyana describes the atmosphere of a grand festival associated with the Ashvamedha context: stalls and markets, plentiful food, heaps of garments and garlands, and music from instruments. The scene includes organized distribution of food and drink to the poor, blind, and orphaned, emphasizing the scale and public character of the event.