Shloka 46
सौगन्धिकपुष्पप्रसङ्गः — The Saugaṇdhika Lotus and Bhīma’s Approach to Hanūmān
पादपै: पुष्पविकचै: फलभारावनामिश्रि: | शोभिते सर्वतो रम्यै: पुंस्कोकिलगणायुतै:,उस वनमें सब ओर सुरम्य वृक्ष दिखायी देते थे, जो विकसित फूलोंसे युक्त थे। उनकी शाखाएँ फलोंके बोझसे झुकी हुई थीं। कोकिल पक्षियोंसे युक्त बहुसंख्यक वृक्षोंके कारण उस वनकी बड़ी शोभा होती थी
pādapaiḥ puṣpavikacaiḥ phalabhārāvanāmiśraiḥ | śobhite sarvato ramyaiḥ puṃskokilagaṇāyutaiḥ ||
Ghaṭotkaca said: “All around, the forest was adorned with delightful trees—bright with fully opened blossoms, their branches bent low under the weight of fruit. The presence of many male cuckoos among those trees heightened the beauty of that woodland on every side.”
घटोत्कच उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the Mahābhārata’s ethical-literary habit of framing human struggle within a morally suggestive landscape: abundance (flowers and fruit) and harmonious birdsong imply auspiciousness and respite, reminding the listener that even amid exile and hardship, order and beauty (a reflection of dharma’s sustaining power) can still be perceived.
Ghaṭotkaca is describing the forest scenery: trees in full bloom, branches weighed down with fruit, and many male cuckoos singing—an evocative setting that enhances the mood and situates the characters within a richly detailed wilderness environment.