Shloka 9
Nārada’s Exempla of Tapas and Assurance to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (नारदोपदेशः—तपःसिद्ध्युदाहरणम्)
मृगयूथैरनुद्विग्नैस्तत्र तत्र समाश्रितै: । अशड्कितै: पक्षिगणै: प्रगीतैरिव च प्रभो
mṛgayūthair anudvignais tatra tatra samāśritaiḥ | aśaṅkitaiḥ pakṣigaṇaiḥ pragītair iva ca prabho ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O lord, in that place herds of deer, untroubled, were resting here and there; and flocks of birds, free from fear, seemed as though they were singing forth—so calm and secure was the scene.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and spiritual ideal of a refuge where fear subsides: when life is guided by restraint and non-harm, even wild creatures become calm. It implicitly contrasts the violence of the past with the peace sought in the forest-ashrama stage.
Vaiśampāyana describes the setting as serene: deer rest undisturbed in different places and birds, unafraid, appear to sing. The imagery establishes the atmosphere of a quiet forest refuge associated with ashrama life.