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 ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Es war geschmückt mit Śāla-, Tāla- und Tamāla-Bäumen, ebenso mit Hainen aus schwarzem Aloeholz (kālāguru); und weiter verschönert durch die edelsten Sandelholzbäume. Auf jenen lieblichen Berghängen—jeder auf seine Weise duftend—schien der Ort von der Natur reich begnadet, geeignet für stille Einkehr und ein Leben nach dem Dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
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.