Shloka 2
वनप्रस्थानम् (Departure for the Forest) — Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 24
द्वादशेमानि वर्षाणि वस्तव्यं निर्जने वने । समीक्षध्वं महारण्ये देशं बहुमृगद्धिजम्,“हमलोगोंको इन आगामी बारह वर्षोतक निर्जन वनमें निवास करना है, अतः इस महान् वनमें कोई ऐसा स्थान ढूँढ़ो, जहाँ बहुत-से पशु-पक्षी निवास करते हों
dvādaśemāni varṣāṇi vastavyaṃ nirjane vane | samīkṣadhvaṃ mahāraṇye deśaṃ bahu-mṛga-dvijam ||
«Zwölf Jahre lang müssen wir in einem einsamen, menschenleeren Wald verweilen. Darum schaut euch in dieser großen Wildnis um und findet einen geeigneten Ort—reich an Wild und Vögeln.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in hardship, one should plan life responsibly and in harmony with dharma—seeking a place that can sustain the community without needless harm, reflecting prudence, restraint, and foresight during exile.
The speaker states that a twelve-year residence in an uninhabited forest is required and instructs the group to survey the great forest to find a suitable region abundant in animals and birds, ensuring practical means of living during the exile.