Shloka 4.48.8
विन्ध्यगुहाविचयः — Searching the Vindhya Caves and the Cursed Forest (Southern Search)
यत्र वन्ध्यफला वृक्षा विपुष्पाः पर्णवर्जिताः।।।।निस्तोयास्सरितो यत्र मूलं यत्र सुदुर्लभम्।
yatra vandhya-phalā vṛkṣā vipuṣpāḥ parṇa-varjitāḥ |
nistoyāḥ sarito yatra mūlaṃ yatra sudurlabham ||
They came to a place where trees bore no fruit, no flowers, and no leaves; where rivers were waterless; and where even roots were very hard to obtain.
As they marched forward, they entered a location where there were trees devoid of leaves, flowers and fruits and rivers without water and a place where it was difficult to get roots (for food).
Dharma involves endurance amid scarcity—continuing righteous work even when basic supports (food and water) fail.
The search party enters an extremely barren tract with little vegetation and no water.
Forbearance (kṣamā) and austerity-like endurance in pursuit of a just goal.