Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 3
शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा
The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal
उष्णाढ्यस्योदनस्यात्र राशय: पर्वतोपमा:।मृष्टान्नानि च सूपाश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च।।1.53.3।।नानास्वादुरसानां च षाडबानां तथैव च।भाजनानि सुपूर्णानि गौडानि च सहस्रश:।।1.53.4।।
uṣṇāḍhyasyodanasya atra rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ |
mṛṣṭānnāni ca sūpāś ca dadhikulyās tathaiva ca || 1.53.3 ||
彼处堆满热气蒸腾的米饭，如山峦般高；又有精美佳肴与汤羹，乃至酸乳如溪流淌——一场丰盛的供养与迎接已然陈设。
Heaps of hot rice as high as mountains, savoury food, condiments and on abundance of curd, various kinds of soups, containers in their thousands completely filled with edibles with all six tastes and preparations made of jaggery (were distributed).
FAQs
It highlights atithi-dharma: honoring guests through generous, respectful hospitality, offered without meanness or calculation.
Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage provides lavish provisions to host Viśvāmitra’s party; the abundance sets the stage for Viśvāmitra’s later desire for Śabalā.
Vasiṣṭha’s generosity and capacity to sustain others through righteous abundance.