Shloka 95
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
गृध्र उवाच अयं प्रेतसमाकीर्णो यक्षराक्षससेवित: । दारुण: काननोददेश: कौशिकैरभिनादित:
gṛdhra uvāca | ayaṃ pretasamākīrṇo yakṣarākṣasasevitaḥ | dāruṇaḥ kānanoddeśaḥ kauśikair abhināditaḥ ||
গৃধ্র বলল—হে মনুষ্যগণ! এই দেশ প্রেতসমূহে পরিপূর্ণ এবং যক্ষ-রাক্ষসদের বিচরণস্থল। এ অরণ্যভূমি অত্যন্ত দারুণ, পেঁচার ডাকধ্বনিতে প্রতিধ্বনিত; অতএব এ স্থান মহাভয়ংকর।
गृध्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores prudent discernment: when signs indicate danger—whether natural (a harsh wilderness) or symbolic (spirits, ominous cries)—one should not proceed blindly. Ethical action includes caution, situational awareness, and avoiding needless risk.
A vulture addresses a person (implied by the context) and warns that the surrounding forest-region is frightening and perilous, described as crowded with spirits, inhabited by Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, and echoing with the calls of owls—an ominous soundscape signaling danger.