Shloka 13
Vainya-Aśvamedhe Atri–Gautama–Sanatkumāra-Nirṇaya
Vainya’s Sacrifice and the Settlement of a Dharmic Dispute
कुमुदै: पुण्डरीकैश्न शीतवारिधरा: शिवा: । नदी: पुष्करिणीश्रैव ददृशु: समलंकृता:,पाण्डवोंने देखा, नदियाँ और पोखरियाँ कुमुदों तथा कमल-पुष्पोंसे अलंकृत हैं। उनमें शीतल जल भरा हुआ है और वे सबके लिये सुखदायिनी प्रतीत होती हैं
kumudaiḥ puṇḍarīkaiś ca śītavāridharāḥ śivāḥ | nadyaḥ puṣkariṇīś caiva dadṛśuḥ samalaṅkṛtāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The Pāṇḍavas beheld rivers and lotus-ponds beautifully adorned with white water-lilies and lotuses. Filled with cool, refreshing water, they appeared auspicious and soothing to all—an image of nature’s quiet benevolence amid the hardships of exile.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in adversity (the Pāṇḍavas’ forest exile), the world still offers signs of śiva—quiet auspiciousness and relief. The verse highlights how dharmic endurance is supported by moments of natural beauty and cooling calm, encouraging steadiness rather than despair.
As the Pāṇḍavas move through the forest, they come upon rivers and lotus-ponds filled with cool water and blooming kumuda and puṇḍarīka flowers. Vaiśampāyana narrates their observation, emphasizing the scene’s soothing and auspicious character.