Shloka 31
Kubera’s Fivefold Nīti and Protection of the Pāṇḍavas (वैश्रवणोपदेशः)
नानाद्रुमनिरोधेषु वसन््तः शैलसानुषु । पर्वतं विविशु: श्वेतं चतुर्थेडहनि पाण्डवा:,वे सभी पाण्डव नाना प्रकारके वृक्षोंसे हरे-भरे पर्वतीय शिखरोंपर डेरा डालते हुए चौथे दिन श्वेत (हिमालय) पर्वतपर जा पहुँचे, जो महामेघके समान शोभा पाता था। वह सुन्दर शैल शीतल सलिलराशिसे सम्पन्न था और मणि सुवर्ण, रजत तथा शिलाखण्डोंका समुदायरूप था। हिमालयका वह रमणीय प्रदेश अनेकानेक कन्दराओं और निर्डरोंसे सुशोभित शिलाखण्डोंके कारण दुर्गग तथा लताओं और वृक्षोंसे व्याप्त था। पाण्डव वृषपर्वाके बताये हुए मार्गका आश्रय ले नाना प्रकारके वृक्षोंका अवलोकन करते हुए अपने अभीष्ट स्थानकी ओर अग्रसर हो रहे थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
nānādrumanirrodheṣu vasantāḥ śailasānuṣu |
parvataṃ viviśuḥ śvetaṃ caturthe ’hani pāṇḍavāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Dwelling among many groves of trees on the mountain slopes, the Pāṇḍavas, on the fourth day, entered the White Mountain (the Himālaya). The verse highlights their disciplined onward journey through a demanding landscape—enduring exile with steadiness and purpose rather than complaint.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly underscores steadfastness in dharma during adversity: the Pāṇḍavas continue their rightful course through hardship, living simply amid nature and progressing with resolve rather than being diverted by discomfort.
Narration by Vaiśampāyana describes the Pāṇḍavas traveling through wooded mountain slopes; on the fourth day they enter the Śveta (White) Mountain region, identified with the Himālaya, as part of their onward movement toward their intended goal during exile.