Shloka 57
Śārṅgakānāṃ Avināśaḥ (Why the Śārṅga Birds Were Spared) | शार्ङ्गकानामविनाशः
पाण्डुसागरमाविद्ध: प्रविवेश महाधन: । पूर्णमापूरयंस्तेषां द्विषच्छोकावहो 5भवत्,जैसे नदियोंके जलका महान प्रवाह समुद्रमें मिलता है, उसी प्रकार वह महान् धन और रत्नोंका भारी प्रवाह, जिसमें वस्त्र और कम्बल फेनके समान जान पड़ते थे, बड़े-बड़े हाथी महान ग्राहोंका भ्रम उत्पन्न करते थे और जहाँ ध्वजा-पताकाएँ सेवारका काम कर रही थीं, पाण्डवरूपी महासागरमें जा मिला। यद्यपि पाण्डव-समुद्र पहलेसे ही परिपूर्ण था तथापि इस महान् धनप्रवाहने उसे और भी पूर्णतर बना दिया। यही कारण था कि वह पाण्डव- महासागर शत्रुओंके लिये शोकदायक प्रतीत होने लगा
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pāṇḍu-sāgaram āviddhaḥ praviveśa mahādhanaḥ | pūrṇam āpūrayaṃs teṣāṃ dviṣac-chokāvaho 'bhavat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: A vast stream of wealth, as though hurled into the ocean of the Pāṇḍavas, entered it and made it overflow. Though that ocean was already full, this mighty influx of riches filled it still further; therefore it appeared as a source of grief to their enemies. The image suggests that prosperity, when aligned with rightful power, strengthens the righteous and becomes a deterrent—and a sorrow—to hostile forces.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a political-ethical metaphor: rightful strength and resources, when consolidated, protect the righteous and naturally discourage aggression. Prosperity is not merely luxury; in a dharmic polity it becomes stability for allies and a warning to adversaries.
A huge influx of wealth and valuables is described as flowing into the Pāṇḍavas’ ‘ocean’—their already abundant store—making it even more overflowing. This increase in their resources is portrayed as something that causes sorrow to their enemies.