Shloka 5
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
श्मशानमभितो गत्वा आससाद कुरूनथ । तां शमीमन्ववीक्षेतां व्यूढानीकांश्व॒ सर्वश:,श्मशानभूमिके समीप जाकर उन्होंने कौरवोंको पा लिया। वे दोनों उस शमीवृक्षके आसपास सब ओर सेनाका व्यूह बनाकर खड़े हुए कौरव-सैनिकोंकी ओर देखने लगे
śmaśānam abhito gatvā āsasāda kurūn atha | tāṃ śamīm anvavīkṣetāṃ vyūḍhānīkāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ ||
Having gone around the cremation-ground, they then came upon the Kurus. The two of them, keeping their eyes on that śamī tree, looked in every direction at the Kuru soldiers who stood drawn up in battle-formation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent restraint and situational awareness before action. By placing the moment near a cremation-ground and the śamī tree, it evokes impermanence and ritual significance, suggesting that righteous action (dharma) should be preceded by clear perception and careful timing.
After moving around the cremation-ground, the protagonists reach the Kuru forces. They focus on the śamī tree and survey the Kaurava soldiers standing in battle formation on all sides, setting the stage for the next decisive developments in the Virāṭa episode.