Shloka 21
अध्याय १ — न्यग्रोधवनोपवेशनम् तथा द्रौणिनिश्चयः
Night at the Banyan and Drauṇi’s Resolve
प्रविश्य तद् वन॑ घोरं वीक्षमाणा: समन्ततः । शाखासहस्रसंछन्न॑ न्यग्रोध॑ ददृशुस्तत:,उस भयंकर वनमें प्रवेश करके सब ओर दृष्टि डालनेपर उन्हें सहस्नों शाखाओंसे आच्छादित एक बरगदका वृक्ष दिखायी दिया
praviśya tad vanaṃ ghoraṃ vīkṣamāṇāḥ samantataḥ | śākhāsahasrasaṃchannaṃ nyagrodhaṃ dadṛśus tataḥ ||
সেই ভয়ংকর অরণ্যে প্রবেশ করে চারিদিকে দৃষ্টি দিলে তারা তখন সহস্র শাখায় আচ্ছন্ন এক বটবৃক্ষ দেখতে পেল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily sets an ominous atmosphere: the fearful forest and the massive banyan function as narrative symbols of concealment and impending harm, underscoring how war can lead minds into darkness and morally perilous choices.
After entering a terrifying forest and surveying it in all directions, the group sees a banyan tree covered by innumerable branches—marking a significant spot as the night’s grim events are about to unfold.