Shloka 16

Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage

Devanagari script

ततो जाम्बूनदी: पात्रीर्वजाड़का विमला: शुभा: । वरान्नपूर्णा विप्रेभ्य: प्रादान्मधुघृतप्लुता:

Transliteration

tato jāmbūnadīḥ pātrīr vajāḍkā vimalāḥ śubhāḥ | varānna-pūrṇā viprebhyaḥ prādān madhu-ghṛta-plutāḥ ||

Translation

随后，他向婆罗门们奉上以阎浮那陀金（Jāmbūnada）铸成、洁净吉祥、并嵌饰钻石的金盘，盘中盛满上等佳肴——以酥油（ghee）制成的甜食，浸润蜂蜜与澄清黄油——以丰厚的款待与恭敬的布施来礼敬他们。

Word by Word

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

• जाम्बूनदीः: made of Jāmbūnada-gold
• जाम्बूनदीः: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जाम्बूनदी
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• पात्रीः: plates, dishes
• पात्रीः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्री
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• वज्राङ्काः: diamond-inlaid / marked with vajra (diamond)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वज्राङ्का
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• विमलाः: clean, spotless
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमल
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• शुभाः: beautiful, auspicious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• वरान्नपूर्णाः: filled with excellent food
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वरान्नपूर्ण
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• विप्रेभ्यः: to the Brahmins
• विप्रेभ्यः: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Plural

• प्रादात्: gave, offered
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दा
• Form: Aorist (simple past), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• मधुघृतप्लुताः: soaked/filled with honey and ghee
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुघृतप्लुत
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• brāhmaṇas (viprāḥ)
• Jāmbūnada-gold trays/plates (pātrīḥ)
• diamonds (vajra)
• honey (madhu)
• ghee (ghṛta)
• choice foods/sweetmeats (varānna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dāna and atithi-satkara as practical dharma: honoring worthy recipients (brāhmaṇas) with purity, respect, and abundance, showing that ethical merit is expressed through reverent, generous giving.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma describes a scene of formal hospitality: diamond-inlaid golden trays are brought and presented to brāhmaṇas, laden with excellent foods—sweet preparations rich with honey and ghee—signifying ceremonial respect and munificent offering.