Shloka 4
Droṇotpattiḥ, Astralābhaḥ, Drupada-vairasya bījaṃ ca
The Birth of Droṇa, Acquisition of Weapons, and the Seed of Enmity with Drupada
यदि वास्य वनस्य त्वं देवता यदि वाप्सरा: । आचक्ष्व मम तत् सर्व किमर्थ चेह तिष्ठसि,“यदि तुम इस वनकी देवी अथवा अप्सरा हो तो वह सब मुझे ठीक-ठीक बता दो; साथ ही यह भी कहो कि किस कामके लिये यहाँ खड़ी हो?”
yadi vāsya vanasya tvaṃ devatā yadi vāpsarāḥ | ācakṣva mama tat sarvaṃ kimartha ceha tiṣṭhasi ||
قال فايشَمبايَنا: «إن كنتِ إلهةَ هذا الغاب الحارسة (devatā)، أو كنتِ أَبْسَرا (apsaras)، فأخبِريني بكل ذلك بوضوح. وأخبِريني أيضاً: لأي غرضٍ تقفين هنا؟»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models prudent and respectful inquiry: when encountering an unknown presence in the forest, one should first ascertain identity and intention, acknowledging the possibility of divinity and seeking clarity before acting.
A speaker addresses a mysterious female figure in a forest setting, asking whether she is the forest’s presiding deity or an apsaras, and requests that she explain who she is and why she is present there.