Shloka 8
Ākiṃcanya–Tyāga Upadeśa
The Instruction on Non-ownership and Renunciation
शालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्व कालागुरुवनैस्तथा । चन्दनस्य च मुख्यस्य पादपैरुपशोभितम् । गिरिप्रस्थेषु रम्येषु तेषु तेषु सुगन्धिषु
śālaiḥ tālaiḥ tamālaiś ca kālāguruvanaiḥ tathā | candanasya ca mukhyasya pādapair upaśobhitam | giriprastheṣu ramyeṣu teṣu teṣu sugandhiṣu ||
قال بهيشما: كان المكان مزدانًا بأشجار الشالا والتالا والتامالا، وكذلك ببساتين الكالاغورو—خشب الألوة الأسود—وزاده بهاءً أطيبُ أشجار الصندل. وعلى تلك السفوح الجبلية البهيجة—لكل سفحٍ عطره الخاص—بدا الموضع مغمورًا بفضل الطبيعة، صالحًا للتأمل الهادئ ولحياةٍ تقوم على الدارما والاستقامة.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
By depicting a serene, fragrant mountain landscape, the verse supports the Śānti Parva’s ethical emphasis: a mind inclined toward dharma is fostered by calm surroundings, restraint, and a life oriented to peace rather than agitation.
Bhīṣma is describing a beautiful, perfumed mountainous region—rich with śāla, palm, tamāla, agaru, and sandalwood—setting the scene for a discussion where tranquility and reflection are thematically appropriate.