Shloka 19
वनप्रस्थानम् (Departure for the Forest) — Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 24
करेणुयूथै: सह यूथपानां मदोत्कटानामचलप्रभाणाम् | महान्ति यूथानि महाद्विपानां तस्मिन् वने राष्ट्रपतिर्ददर्श,राष्ट्रपति युधिष्ठिरको उस वनमें पर्वतोंके समान प्रतीत होनेवाले मदोन्मत्त गजराजोंके, जो एक-एक यूथके अधिपति थे, हथिनियोंके साथ विचरनेवाले कितने ही भारी-भारी झुंड दिखायी दिये
kareṇuyūthaiḥ saha yūthapānāṁ madotkaṭānām acalaprabhāṇām | mahānti yūthāni mahādvipānāṁ tasmin vane rājapatis dadarśa ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: In jenem Wald erblickte der König (Yudhiṣṭhira) viele große Herden mächtiger Elefanten—brünstig berauschte Leittiere ihrer Züge—die mit Scharen von Elefantenkühen umherzogen, gewaltig und unbeweglich anmutend wie Berge.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between untamed natural power (rut-maddened elephant leaders) and the king’s composed awareness. Ethically, it suggests steadiness and discernment: a ruler in adversity should observe without being overwhelmed, recognizing power without yielding to fear or impulsiveness.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ forest life, Yudhiṣṭhira is shown moving through the wilderness and seeing large herds of elephants—dominant troop-leaders accompanied by female elephants—whose mountain-like presence emphasizes the grandeur and danger of the forest setting.