Shloka 26
वनप्रस्थानम् (Departure for the Forest) — Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 24
लतावतानावनतः: स पाण्डवै- महाद्रुम: पठचभिरेव धन्विभि: । बभौ निवासोपगतैर्महात्मभि- महागिरिवारिणयूथपैरिव,जैसे महान् पर्वत यूथपति गजराजोंसे सुशोभित होता है, उसी प्रकार, लतासमूहसे झुका हुआ वह महान् वृक्ष वहाँ निवासके लिये आये हुए पाँच धनुर्धर महात्मा पाण्डवोंद्वारा शोभा पाने लगा
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
latāvatānāvanataḥ sa pāṇḍavaiḥ mahādrumaḥ pañcabhir eva dhanvibhiḥ |
babhau nivāsopagatair mahātmabhiḥ mahāgirivāraṇayūthapair iva ||
قال فَيْشَمْبَايَنَة: إن تلك الشجرة العظيمة، المنحنية من كثرة اللِّيان والزواحف، غدت بهيّة حين آوى إليها الباندافا—خمسة رماةٍ عظام النفوس قدموا ليجعلوا هناك مقامهم—كما يزدان الجبل المهيب إذا تزيّن بقطعان الفيلة السادة.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the presence of noble, disciplined persons brings dignity and auspiciousness to a place. Ethical excellence (mahātmatva) is portrayed as beautifying and elevating one’s surroundings, even in hardship such as forest exile.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ forest life, they arrive at a place to stay. A great tree, weighed down by creepers, is described as becoming especially splendid because the five bow-bearing Pāṇḍavas take up residence there—likened to a mountain adorned by majestic elephant herd-leaders.