Shloka 51
कर्णनिधनवृत्तान्तनिवेदनम् | Reporting Karṇa’s Fall to Yudhiṣṭhira
बहुवृक्षलतागुल्ममेतद् वनमुपाश्रिता: । इति तान् ख्यापयामास तेभ्यस्तत्त्वंस कौशिक:
bahuvṛkṣalatāgulmam etad vanam upāśritāḥ | iti tān khyāpayāmāsa tebhyaḥ tattvaṃ sa kauśikaḥ ||
«Cette forêt, épaisse de nombreux arbres, lianes et broussailles, a été prise pour refuge.» Ainsi Kauśika le leur fit-il savoir, exposant nettement la réalité. Dans le cadre du récit, ce vers souligne que celui qui guide ou connaît le dharma doit parler sans détour des circonstances—surtout lorsque d’autres ont cherché asile—afin que l’acte juste soit choisi en pleine connaissance, et non dans la confusion ou la dissimulation.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of stating the truth (tattva) clearly: when people have taken refuge or are dependent on guidance, a responsible speaker should disclose the real situation so that decisions align with dharma rather than ignorance or misapprehension.
Within Vāyudeva’s speech, Kauśika addresses others who have resorted to a forest described as dense with trees, vines, and shrubs, and he informs them of the factual state of affairs—making the situation explicit rather than leaving it ambiguous.